Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in ischemic stroke trials. A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Therapy

Background:

• Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) are a leading cause of permanent disability and incur substantial healthcare costs.
• Ischemic strokes, resulting from blocked blood flow, are the most prevalent type, with limited acute-phase treatment options.
• Cellular therapies, particularly using Stem Cells, are emerging as a potential strategy to address stroke consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize ongoing clinical trials investigating Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for ischemic stroke treatment.
• To assess the current landscape of MSC-based therapeutic approaches for stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
• Searches were performed using the 'clinical trials' and 'Pubmed' databases.
• The review focused on identifying and summarizing ongoing clinical trials utilizing MSCs for ischemic stroke.

Main Results:

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) exhibit significant therapeutic potential for Nervous System pathologies.
• MSCs possess low antigenicity and can differentiate into various tissue types, making them suitable for regenerative therapies.
• The review identified and summarized multiple ongoing clinical trials exploring MSCs in the context of ischemic stroke treatment.

Conclusions:

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) represent a promising avenue for developing novel treatments for ischemic stroke.
• Ongoing clinical trials are actively exploring the efficacy and safety of MSCs in stroke patients.
• Further research and clinical evaluation are crucial to establish MSCs as a standard therapy for stroke recovery.