Recent Advances in Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics for Stroke

Abstract

Regenerative medicine for central nervous system disorders, including stroke, has challenged the non-regenerative capacity of the brain. Among the many treatment strategies tailored towards repairing the injured brain, stem cell-based therapeutics have been demonstrated as safe and effective in animal models of stroke, and are being tested in limited clinical trials. We address here key lab-to-clinic translational research that relate to efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action underlying stem cell therapy. Recognizing the multi-pronged cell death processes associated with stroke that will likely require combination therapies, we next discuss potent drugs and novel technologies directed at improving the functional outcomes of stem cell-based therapeutics. We also examine discrepant transplant regimens between preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as missing appropriate control arm (i.e., stroke subjects undergoing rehabilitation) on which to directly compare the therapeutic benefits of cell therapy. Finally, the bioethics of cell therapy is presented in order to assess its prevailing social status. With preliminary results now being reported from on-going clinical trials of stem cell therapy for stroke, a careful assessment of the true functional benefits of this novel treatment will further direct the future of regenerative medicine for neurological disorders.

Poststroke Sonic Hedgehog Agonist Treatment Improves Functional Recovery by Enhancing Neurogenesis and Angiogenesis

“…Therefore, enhancing the survival of newly born cells is an important priority for enhancing neurogenesis after stroke. Potential therapeutic treatments such as stem cell transplantation have shown efficacy in the subacute and chronic stroke stages in animal models, potentially through facilitating endogenous repair mechanisms such as neurogenesis and angiogenesis 6, 7 .…”

An update on stem cell therapy for neurological disorders: cell death pathways as therapeutic targets

“…In summary, these ten selected articles from the recent ASTNR meeting highlight the potential applications for stem cell therapy in neurological disorders, detailing the laboratory evidence on the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of these transplantable cells, altogether forming the basis for the clinical trials [30][31][32][33]. Given the prevalence of stroke, many patients would greatly benefit from novel treatments that capitalize on the promising therapeutic benefits of stem cells.…”

Concise Review: Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke Patients: Are We There Yet?

“…Primarily because of the long-track record of solid safety profile, the bone marrow has emerged as the widely used adult tissue stem cell source [26,[28][29][30][31][32]. Bone marrow-derived cell populations as well as engineered stem/progenitor cells have been characterized, including but not limited to MSCs, mononuclear cells (MNCs), endothelial progenitor cells, SB623, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), and multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells (Muse) [33][34][35][36][37].…”