[Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for hematological diseases]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) perform multiple functions, such as immunomodulation and tissue repair, and they are also capable of differentiation into bone, cartilage, and fat cells. Furthermore, an MSC culture method has been established, and clinical safety is guaranteed; therefore, MSCs can be clinically applied for the treatment of many diseases. MSC treatment for hematological diseases is expected to be effective against refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). It is presently used for treating chronic GVHD, preventing GVHD, promoting the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells, and treating refractory aplastic anemia. However, owing to the cellular properties of MSCs, there are some concerns including increases in relapse, the deterioration of infectious diseases, and tumor formation or malignant transformation of MSCs. In the present review, I describe the present situation, problems, and prospects of the clinical application of MSCs for treating hematological diseases, including recent topics such as placental-derived decidual stromal cells and highly purified MSCs.