Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Evolving and Established Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a frequent sequela of modern medicine when infants are born prematurely. Currently, there is no single treatment or combination of treatments to prevent or fully treat BPD. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have promising properties that could aid in the reversal of lung injury, as seen in patients with BPD. This study reviews the available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of the use of MSCs for the treatment of evolving and established BPD. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We found eight studies that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. While all studies proved the safety and efficacy of MSCs administered intravenously and intratracheally, the only available randomized controlled trial (RCT) failed to demonstrate the benefit of MSC administration in the early treatment of BPD. The remaining studies varied between phase I clinical trials and case reports, but all seemed to show some evidence that MSCs may be of benefit in the late treatment of established BPD. Considering some of the studies have less evidence, early treatment to prevent lung fibrosis may be more successful, particularly in the younger gestational ages where lung development is more immature, and research should focus on this.

Evaluation of Lycium Shawii Schult & Roem Eye Drops as a Novel Treatment for Old Corneal Scars in Rabbits

“…There are approximately 12.7 million people on the global waiting list for corneal transplantation [21]. Corneal transplantation surgery treatments are limited due to postoperative complications such as infection and delayed healing, immune rejection and failure of the transplant, intraocular pressure elevation, and a general scarcity of donor corneas as a result of the increased popularity of laser refractive surgery [22,23] 2. Stem cell therapy: A variety of treatments have been attempted to improve scarless corneal regeneration.…”

“…Another study revealed that mesenchymal stem cells might restore corneal transparency by secreting hepatocyte growth factor. The ability of umbilical mesenchymal stem cell transplantation to cure corneal opacity in the congenital mice model but not in the acquired [22].…”