Blood-based biomarkers and stem cell therapy in human stroke: a systematic review

Stroke is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Cell therapy represents a promising therapeutic approach to improve stroke outcome. Measurement of blood-based biomarkers might serve as a proof-of-concept to monitor the mechanisms undergirding these treatments, and such compounds could be used as surrogate biomarkers to monitor the safety and efficacy of cell therapies in the future. Additionally, the measurement of biomarkers that correlate with circulating stem cells in observational studies might be of interest to improve the understanding of how these cells are spontaneously mobilized and carry out their action after stroke. Thus, a systematic review has been herein performed on blood-based biomarkers assessed in stroke patients treated with cell therapy or in observational studies in which circulating stem cells have been measured after stroke.