Stem Cell Therapy

Human mesenchymal stem cells are primary multipotent cells capable of differentiating into osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes when stimulated under appropriate conditions. ^[1] The multipotency of mesenchymal stem cells has attracted worldwide attention because of their potential for immunomodulation and their therapeutic function in tissue regeneration. ^[2]

It is widely recognized that the main mechanism for the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells is not their differentiation but their secretome, the paracrine factors they secrete, with in vivo data revealing transient and low engraftment rates. ^[3] Mesenchymal stem cells can migrate to tissue injury areas to contribute to immune modulation and secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines. ^[2]

In traumatic spinal cord injury, a systematic review of mesenchymal stem cell therapies consistently found improvements in impairment-scale grades and sensory scores and, to a lesser extent, motor scores, with short- and medium-term safety, though caution is required due to limited scientific evidence. ^[4] In a meta-analysis of patients with myocardial infarction, mesenchymal stem cell treatment increased left ventricular ejection fraction by 3.84%, but the authors concluded the efficacy must be further explored through large randomized controlled trials. ^[5] A meta-analysis of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation in autoimmune and rheumatic immune diseases found symptom improvement in conditions such as osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease without an increased incidence of adverse events, while highlighting that further research is warranted. ^[6] For intracerebral hemorrhage, stem cell therapy has shown good therapeutic effect making it a promising treatment, but safety should be carefully evaluated and more clinical trials are required before it can be extensively applied to clinical use. ^[7] Depletion of senescent cells and stem cell therapy are discussed among interventions and clinical treatment methods for aging-related diseases, positioning stem cell therapy within geroscience research rather than as an established anti-aging treatment. ^[8]

A reduced ability of adult stem cell populations to reproduce and regenerate is one of the main contributors to the human aging process, and mesenchymal stem cell senescence is a major challenge for the advancement of cellular therapy. ^[1] The mesenchymal stem cell secretome offers an attractive cell-free approach because of the effectiveness and safety of a cell-free product. ^[3]