scholarly journals Neural Stem Cell-Based Therapies and Glioblastoma Management: Current Evidence and Clinical Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2258
Author(s):  
Amira Yasmine Benmelouka ◽  
Malak Munir ◽  
Ahmed Sayed ◽  
Mohamed Salah Attia ◽  
Mohamad M. Ali ◽  
...  

Gliomas, which account for nearly a quarter of all primary CNS tumors, present significant contemporary therapeutic challenges, particularly the highest-grade variant (glioblastoma multiforme), which has an especially poor prognosis. These difficulties are due to the tumor's aggressiveness and the adverse effects of radio/chemotherapy on the brain. Stem cell therapy is an exciting area of research being explored for several medical issues. Neural stem cells, normally present in the subventricular zone and the hippocampus, preferentially migrate to tumor masses. Thus, they have two main advantages: They can minimize the side effects associated with systemic radio/chemotherapy while simultaneously maximizing drug delivery to the tumor site. Another feature of stem cell therapy is the variety of treatment approaches it allows. Stem cells can be genetically engineered into expressing a wide variety of immunomodulatory substances that can inhibit tumor growth. They can also be used as delivery vehicles for oncolytic viral vectors, which can then be used to combat the tumorous mass. An alternative approach would be to combine stem cells with prodrugs, which can subsequently convert them into the active form upon migration to the tumor mass. As with any therapeutic modality still in its infancy, much of the research regarding their use is primarily based upon knowledge gained from animal studies, and a number of ongoing clinical trials are currently investigating their effectiveness in humans. The aim of this review is to highlight the current state of stem cell therapy in the treatment of gliomas, exploring the different mechanistic approaches, clinical applicability, and the existing limitations.

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1723-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiqing Zheng ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Pratik Y. Chhatbar ◽  
Yi Dong ◽  
Ali Alawieh ◽  
...  

Exogenous stem cell therapy (SCT) has been recognized recently as a promising neuroregenerative strategy to augment recovery in stroke survivors. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the primary source of stem cells used in the majority of both pre-clinical and clinical studies in stroke. In the absence of evidence-based guidelines on the use of SCT in stroke patients, understanding the progress of MSC research across published studies will assist researchers and clinicians in better achieving success in translating research. We conducted a systematic review on published literature using MSCs in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials between 2008 and 2017 using the public databases PubMed and Ovid Medline, and the clinical trial registry ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ). A total of 78 pre-clinical studies and eight clinical studies were identified. While majority of the pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrated statistically significant effects, the clinical significance of these findings was still unclear. Effect sizes could not be measured mainly due to reporting issues in pre-clinical studies, thus limiting our ability to compare results across studies quantitatively. The overall quality of both pre-clinical and clinical studies was sub-optimal. By conducting a systematic review of both pre-clinical and clinical studies on MSCs therapy in stroke, we assessed the quality of current evidence and identified several issues and gaps in translating animal studies to human trials. Addressing these issues and incorporating changes into future animal studies and human trials may lead to better success of stem cells-based therapeutics in the near future.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhu ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Yulin Wang ◽  
Hao Lai ◽  
Chunsheng Wang

Stem cell therapy has attracted increasing attention as a promising treatment strategy for cardiac repair in ischemic heart disease. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their superior physical and chemical properties, have been widely utilized to assist stem cell therapy. With the help of NPs, stem cells can be genetically engineered for enhanced paracrine profile. To further understand the fate and behaviors of stem cells in ischemic myocardium, imaging NPs can label stem cells and be trackedin vivounder multiple modalities. Besides that, NPs can also be used to enhance stem cell retention in myocardium. These facts have raised efforts on the development of more intelligent and multifunctional NPs for cellular application. Herein, an overview of the applications of NPs-assisted stem cell therapy is given. Key issues and future prospects are also critically addressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Sujay Khandpur ◽  
Savera Gupta ◽  
D. R. Gunaabalaji

Stem cells are precursor cells present in many tissues with ability to differentiate into various types of cells. This interesting property of plasticity can have therapeutic implications and there has been substantial research in this field in last few decades. As a result, stem cell therapy is now used as a therapeutic modality in many conditions, and has made its way in dermatology too. Stem cells can be classified on the basis of their source and differentiating capacity. In skin, they are present in the inter-follicular epidermis, hair follicle, dermis and adipose tissue, which help in maintaining normal skin homeostasis and repair and regeneration during injury. In view of their unique properties, they have been employed in treatment of several dermatoses including systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleromyxedema, alopecia, Merkel cell carcinoma, pemphigus vulgaris, psoriasis, wound healing, epidermolysis bullosa and even aesthetic medicine, with variable success. The advent of stem cell therapy has undoubtedly brought us closer to curative treatment of disorders previously considered untreatable. Nevertheless, there are multiple lacunae which need to be addressed including ideal patient selection, timing of intervention, appropriate conditioning regimens, post-intervention care and cost effectiveness. Further research in these aspects would help optimize the results of stem cell therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Rojewska ◽  
Małgorzata Popis ◽  
Maurycy Jankowski ◽  
Dorota Bukowska ◽  
Paweł Antosik ◽  
...  

AbstractStem cells are cells that have the potential to replicate and/or differentiate, becoming any tissue. This process could be theoretically repeated indefinitely and can be used to create or fix damaged parts any organ. There are many in vivo factors that cause stem cells to replicate and differentiate. Many of these interactions and mechanisms are still unknown. In vitro models have been successful in inducing stem cells to differentiate into the desired lineage using controlled methods. Recently, epithelial tissue has been successfully created using scaffolds on which stem cells are grown in vitro and then transplanted into the host. This transition creates significant problems. This is because in vitro -grown stem cells or stem cell-derived tissues are created in an isolated environment where virtually every aspect can be monitored and controlled. In vivo monitoring and controlling is significantly more difficult for a plethora of reasons. Cells in the body are constantly exposed to many signals and molecules which affect them. Many of the mechanisms behind these interactions and reactions are known but many others are not. As the corpus of knowledge grows, stem cells become closer to being applied in a clinical setting. In this paper, we review the current evidence on stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine and some of the challenges this field faces.


2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Vija ◽  
D. Farge ◽  
J.-F. Gautier ◽  
P. Vexiau ◽  
C. Dumitrache ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. S128-S131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Mochizuki ◽  
Chi-Jing Choong ◽  
Toru Yasuda

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Zhang ◽  
Brittany Bolduc Lachance ◽  
Bilal Moiz ◽  
Xiaofeng Jia

Stem cells have been used for regenerative and therapeutic purposes in a variety of diseases. In ischemic brain injury, preclinical studies have been promising, but have failed to translate results to clinical trials. We aimed to explore the application of stem cells after ischemic brain injury by focusing on topics such as delivery routes, regeneration efficacy, adverse effects, and in vivo potential optimization. PUBMED and Web of Science were searched for the latest studies examining stem cell therapy applications in ischemic brain injury, particularly after stroke or cardiac arrest, with a focus on studies addressing delivery optimization, stem cell type comparison, or translational aspects. Other studies providing further understanding or potential contributions to ischemic brain injury treatment were also included. Multiple stem cell types have been investigated in ischemic brain injury treatment, with a strong literature base in the treatment of stroke. Studies have suggested that stem cell administration after ischemic brain injury exerts paracrine effects via growth factor release, blood-brain barrier integrity protection, and allows for exosome release for ischemic injury mitigation. To date, limited studies have investigated these therapeutic mechanisms in the setting of cardiac arrest or therapeutic hypothermia. Several delivery modalities are available, each with limitations regarding invasiveness and safety outcomes. Intranasal delivery presents a potentially improved mechanism, and hypoxic conditioning offers a potential stem cell therapy optimization strategy for ischemic brain injury. The use of stem cells to treat ischemic brain injury in clinical trials is in its early phase; however, increasing preclinical evidence suggests that stem cells can contribute to the down-regulation of inflammatory phenotypes and regeneration following injury. The safety and the tolerability profile of stem cells have been confirmed, and their potent therapeutic effects make them powerful therapeutic agents for ischemic brain injury patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Zhukova ◽  
I. I. Staroverov

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading death causes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The modern methods of reperfusion MI therapy, such as thrombolysis, surgery and balloon revascularization, even when performed early, could fail to prevent the development of large myocardial damage zones, followed by HF. Therefore, the researches have been searching for the methods which improve functional status of damaged myocardium. This review is focused on stem cell therapy, a method aimed at cardiac function restoration. The results of experimental and clinical studies on stem cell therapy in coronary heart disease are presented. Various types of stem cells, used for cellular cardiomyoplasty, are characterised. The methods of cell transplantation into myocardium and potential adverse effects of stem cell therapy are discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (5) ◽  
pp. G684-G696 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Mifflin ◽  
I. V. Pinchuk ◽  
J. I. Saada ◽  
D. W. Powell

The subepithelial intestinal myofibroblast is an important cell orchestrating many diverse functions in the intestine and is involved in growth and repair, tumorigenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis. The myofibroblast is but one of several α-smooth muscle actin-positive (α-SMA+) mesenchymal cells present within the intestinal lamina propria, including vascular pericytes, bone marrow-derived stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells or hematopoietic stem cells), muscularis mucosae, and the lymphatic pericytes (colon) and organized smooth muscle (small intestine) associated with the lymphatic lacteals. These other mesenchymal cells perform many of the functions previously attributed to subepithelial myofibroblasts. This review discusses the definition of a myofibroblast and reconsiders whether the α-SMA+ subepithelial cells in the intestine are myofibroblasts or other types of mesenchymal cells, i.e., pericytes. Current information about specific, or not so specific, molecular markers of lamina propria mesenchymal cells is reviewed, as well as the origins of intestinal myofibroblasts and pericytes in the intestinal lamina propria and their replenishment after injury. Current concepts and research on stem cell therapy for intestinal inflammation are summarized. Information about the stem cell origin of intestinal stromal cells may inform future stem cell therapies to treat human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document