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Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells MSCs
Published on: December 24, 2015
Clinical update on the use of mesenchymal stem cells in COVID-19
Fatima A Saleh1, Joyce Ghazzawi1
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has evoked the scientific community to combine all efforts needed to find a cure for the disease. With the limited therapeutic effects of pharmacological therapies, attention has been drawn to alternative ones such as stem-cell based therapy particularly with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Recently, a large number of clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSCs in patients with COVID-19; however, only very few data are released. Thereby, we anxiously await the results of FDA-approved trials to provide more definitive data on the use of MSCs in COVID-19 patients, especially the critically ill. Herein, we shed light on the therapeutic agents that have been tested and used for the treatment of COVID-19 and provide an insight into MSC-based approaches for COVID-19 at both preclinical and clinical levels.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise as an alternative therapy for COVID-19 due to limited drug effectiveness. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating MSCs for safety and efficacy, especially in critically ill patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional pharmacology.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a potential alternative treatment.
- Limited data currently exists on the efficacy and safety of MSCs for COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing therapeutic agents for COVID-19.
- To provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies on MSC-based therapies for COVID-19.
- To highlight the potential of MSCs in managing COVID-19 patients, particularly the critically ill.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of therapeutic agents used for COVID-19.
- Analysis of ongoing clinical trials evaluating MSCs for COVID-19.
- Synthesis of preclinical and clinical data on MSC applications in COVID-19.
Main Results:
- Pharmacological treatments for COVID-19 have shown limited therapeutic effects.
- Numerous clinical trials investigating MSCs for COVID-19 are underway.
- Preliminary data on MSC efficacy and safety in COVID-19 patients is scarce, with results from FDA-approved trials eagerly awaited.
Conclusions:
- MSCs represent a promising avenue for COVID-19 treatment, warranting further investigation.
- The results of ongoing clinical trials are crucial for establishing definitive evidence of MSCs' role in COVID-19 management.
- Further research into MSC-based approaches is essential for critically ill COVID-19 patients.
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