An update on stem cell therapies for acute coronary syndrome

Well into the second decade since its conception, cell transplantation continues to undergo intensive evaluation for the treatment of myocardial infarction. At a mechanistic level, its objectives remain to replace lost cardiac cell mass with new functioning cardiomyocytes and vascular cells, thereby minimizing infarct size and scar formation, and improving clinical outcomes by preventing adverse left ventricular remodeling and recurrent ischemic events. Many different cell types, including pluripotent stem cells and various adult-derived progenitor cells, have been shown to have therapeutic potential in preclinical studies, while early phase human trial experience has provided divergent outcomes and fundamental lessons, emphasizing that there remain key issues to address and challenges to overcome before cell therapy can be applied to wider clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced update on recent seminal developments in this exciting field and look to the next important steps to ensure its forward progression.