How to introduce MSC-based therapy for the developing lung safely into clinical care?
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Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Induction of Mouse Lung Injury by Endotracheal Injection of Bleomycin
Published on: April 30, 2019
Mario Rüdiger1, Haresh Kirpalani2, Robin Steinhorn3
1Saxony Center for Feto-Neonatal Health; Department for Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Universitätskinderklinik, Universitätsklinikum Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Mario.ruediger@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Insights
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) show promise for treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants. A collaborative approach is needed to advance MSC therapies from research to clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Extreme prematurity increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- Severe BPD poses a significant long-term burden on infants, families, and society.
- Current prevention and treatment options for BPD are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize findings from a workshop on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapies for BPD.
- To outline a roadmap for advancing MSC-based interventions from research to clinical application.
- To foster a global, collaborative approach involving key stakeholders.
Main Methods:
- Review of promising preclinical data on MSCs for BPD.
- Discussion of initial human clinical trial safety data for MSCs.
- Consensus building among experts during a dedicated workshop.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) demonstrate promising therapeutic potential in animal models of BPD.
- Early clinical studies indicate that MSC administration is safe in human infants.
- A collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach is essential for clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy represents a promising regenerative approach for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- Further collaborative efforts are crucial to expedite the development and implementation of MSC-based treatments for premature infants with BPD.
Abstract:
Extreme prematurity is associated with an increased risk to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Severe BPD is associated with a significant long-term burden for the affected infant, families and society. Currently there are limited prevention and treatment options. Regenerative approaches using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are associated with promising benefits in animal experiments. First clinical studies, using MSC in humans, suggest safety. To accelerate the process of bench to bed-side development of MSC-based therapies, a global and collaborative approach is needed that includes all key stakeholders. Results of a workshop that was held during the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in 2019 are summarized. A roadmap is provided discussing next steps of bringing MSC-based interventions into clinical practice.

