Stem cell therapy for peripheral nerve injury: illustrative cases

Stem cell therapy is undergoing rapid evolution, as evidenced by preclinical studies showcasing the successful promotion of peripheral nerve regeneration using various stem cell types. Despite the absence of clinical studies that demonstrate both efficacy and safety, there has been a notable increase in the number of commercial entities marketing and promoting stem cell therapies for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) directly to patients.

The authors present the cases of 5 patients who sustained traumatic PNIs and received stem cell therapy via various routes of delivery (including intramuscular, perineural, intrathecal, and intravenous administration) prior to presenting to the authors for evaluation. No objective functional improvement was noted in any of these patients at long-term follow-up.

High-quality studies and greater involvement of academic surgeons on social media platforms are essential in today's landscape to promote education, provide leadership, and foster meaningful engagement, ultimately ensuring the best possible treatment outcomes for patients regarding the role of stem cell therapies in PNIs. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24878.