J Stroke.  2016 Sep;18(3):256-266. 10.5853/jos.2016.01263.

Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke: Challenges and Progress

• Bang OY
• Kim EH
• Cha JM
• Moon GJ

• KMID: 2359502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5853/jos.2016.01263

Abstract

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and physical disability among adults. It has been 15 years since clinical trials of stem cell therapy in patients with stroke have been conducted using adult stem cells like mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mononuclear cells. Results of randomized controlled trials showed that adult stem cell therapy was safe but its efficacy was modest, underscoring the need for new stem cell therapy strategies. The primary limitations of current stem cell therapies include (a) the limited source of engraftable stem cells, (b) the presence of optimal time window for stem cell therapies, (c) inherited limitation of stem cells in terms of growth, trophic support, and differentiation potential, and (d) possible transplanted cell-mediated adverse effects, such as tumor formation. Here, we discuss recent advances that overcome these hurdles in adult stem cell therapy for stroke.

Keyword

Stroke; Biomaterials; Stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells

MeSH Terms

Adult Stem Cells*
Adult*
Biocompatible Materials
Bone Marrow
Cause of Death
Humans
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Stem Cells
Stroke*
Biocompatible Materials