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Stem cell therapies for neonatal lung diseases: Are we there yet?
1Regenerative Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.; Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Cell-based therapies show promise for treating neonatal lung diseases, aiming to repair injury and promote lung growth. Clinical trials are underway for preterm infants, exploring treatments for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Neonatal lung diseases significantly contribute to mortality and morbidity.
- Current therapies are often supportive and can exacerbate lung injury.
- Developing treatments that promote lung growth and repair is crucial for the neonatal population.
Approach:
- Investigating cell-based therapies, including mesenchymal stromal cells and amnion epithelial cells.
- Evaluating these therapies in early-phase clinical trials for preterm infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- Exploring novel cell-based approaches in animal models for conditions like congenital diaphragmatic hernia and alveolar capillary dysplasia.
Key Points:
- Cell-based therapies offer a promising avenue for neonatal lung disease treatment.
- Mesenchymal stromal cells and amnion epithelial cells are being tested in clinical trials.
- Research is expanding to other severe neonatal lung conditions.
Conclusions:
- Clinical translation of cell-based therapies is advancing, with ongoing trials for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- Significant questions and controversies remain regarding the optimal use and potential of these therapies.
- Harnessing cell-based repair mechanisms is key to improving outcomes for infants with lung disease.
Abstract:
Lung diseases are a main cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Despite major breakthroughs, therapies remain supportive and, in some instances, contribute to lung injury. Because the neonatal lung is still developing, the ideal therapy should be capable of preventing/repairing lung injury while at the same time, promoting lung growth. Cell-based therapies hold high hopes based on laboratory experiments in animal models of neonatal lung injury. Mesenchymal stromal cells and amnion epithelial cells are now in early phase clinical trials to test the feasibility, safety and early signs of efficacy in preterm infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Other cell-based therapies are being explored in experimental models of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and alveolar capillary dysplasia. This review will summarize current evidence that has lead to the clinical translation of cell-based therapies and highlights controversies and the numerous questions that remain to be addressed to harness the putative repair potential of cell-based therapies.
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