Stem Cell Res Ther
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for the early-stage osteonecrosis of femoral head: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a seriously degenerative disease with no effective therapies to slow its progression. Several studies have reported short-term efficacy of stem cells on early-stage ONFH. However, its long-term effect was still unclear especially on progression events. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of stem cells and analyze its optimal age group and cell number. ⋯ Our findings build solid evidence that stem cell therapy could be expected to have a long-term effect on preventing early-stage ONFH patients from progression events, such as collapse of femoral head and total hip replacement. Furthermore, patients under 40 may be an ideal age group and the optimal cell number could be at 108 magnitude for this therapy. Further studies including strict RCTs are required to evaluate a clear effect of stem cells on ideal patient profile and the procedures of implantation.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for the early-stage osteonecrosis of femoral head: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a seriously degenerative disease with no effective therapies to slow its progression. Several studies have reported short-term efficacy of stem cells on early-stage ONFH. However, its long-term effect was still unclear especially on progression events. This study was performed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of stem cells and analyze its optimal age group and cell number. ⋯ Our findings build solid evidence that stem cell therapy could be expected to have a long-term effect on preventing early-stage ONFH patients from progression events, such as collapse of femoral head and total hip replacement. Furthermore, patients under 40 may be an ideal age group and the optimal cell number could be at 108 magnitude for this therapy. Further studies including strict RCTs are required to evaluate a clear effect of stem cells on ideal patient profile and the procedures of implantation.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global public health and the international economy; therefore, there is an urgent need for an effective therapy to treat COVID-19 patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proposed as an emerging therapeutic option for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recently, numerous clinical trials have been registered to examine the safety and efficacy of different types of MSCs and their exosomes for treating COVID-19 patients, with less published data on the mechanism of action. ⋯ Optimizing the clinical-grade production of MSCs and establishing a consensus on registered clinical trials based on cell-product characterization and mode of delivery would aid in laying the foundation for a safe and effective therapy in COVID-19. In this review, we shed light on the mechanistic view of MSC therapeutic role based on preclinical and clinical studies on acute lung injury and ARDS; therefore, offering a unique correlation and applicability in COVID-19 patients. We further highlight the challenges and opportunities in the use of MSC-based therapy.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) develops rapidly and has a high mortality rate. Survivors usually have low quality of life. ⋯ MSCs have been shown to have a number of protective effects in some animal models of ARDS by releasing soluble, biologically active factors. In this review, we will focus on clinical progress in the use of MSCs as a cell therapy for ARDS, which may have clinical implications during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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The discovery of animal cloning and subsequent development of cell reprogramming technology were quantum leaps as they led to the achievement of rejuvenation by cell reprogramming and the emerging view that aging is a reversible epigenetic process. Here, we will first summarize the experimental achievements over the last 7 years in cell and animal rejuvenation. Then, a comparison will be made between the principles of the cumulative DNA damage theory of aging and the basic facts underlying the epigenetic model of aging, including Horvath's epigenetic clock. ⋯ In contrast, the epigenetic model of aging straightforwardly explains both biologic phenomena. A plausible initial application of rejuvenation in vivo would be preventing adult individuals from aging thus eliminating a major risk factor for end of life pathologies. Further, it may allow the gradual achievement of whole body rejuvenation.