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Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Musculoskeletal ailments affect millions of people around the world and place a high burden on healthcare. Traditional treatment modalities are limited and do not... (Review)
Review
Musculoskeletal ailments affect millions of people around the world and place a high burden on healthcare. Traditional treatment modalities are limited and do not address underlying pathologies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as an exciting therapeutic alternative and Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJSCs) are some of these. This review reports the clinical and functional outcomes of the applications of WJSCs in orthopedic surgery. A systematic review was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The studies that used culture-expanded, mesenchymal stem or stromal cells, MSCs and/or connective tissues procured from Wharton's jelly (WJ), from January 2010 to October 2021, were included. Conventional non-operative therapies and placebos were used as comparisons. Six studies that directly discussed WJSCs use in an animal model or the basic scientific testing using an injury model were identified. Five publications studied cartilage injury, three studied degenerative disc disease, one was related to osteoarthritis, and one was related to osteochondral defects. The results of these studies suggested the benefits of WJSCs in the management of these orthopedic pathologies. To adequately assess the safety and efficacy of WJSCs in orthopedic surgery, further randomized controlled clinical studies are necessary.
PubMed: 34832872
DOI: 10.3390/ph14111090 -
Chinese Medicine Aug 2023Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease caused by a variety of etiologies. The disease can eventually lead to irreversible damage to the... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease caused by a variety of etiologies. The disease can eventually lead to irreversible damage to the lung tissue structure, severely affecting respiratory function and posing a serious threat to human health. Currently, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants are the main drugs used in the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, but their efficacy is limited and they can cause serious adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicines have important research value and potential for clinical application in anti-pulmonary fibrosis. In recent years, more and more scientific researches have been conducted on the use of traditional Chinese medicine to improve or reduce pulmonary fibrosis, and some important breakthroughs have been made. This review paper systematically summarized the research progress of pharmacological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines and their active compounds in improving or reducing pulmonary fibrosis. We conducted a systematic search in several main scientific databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, natural products, herbal medicine, and therapeutic methods. Ultimately, 252 articles were included and systematically evaluated in this analysis. The anti-fibrotic mechanisms of these traditional Chinese medicine studies can be roughly categorized into 5 main aspects, including inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, improvement of extracellular matrix deposition, mediation of apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The purpose of this article is to provide pharmaceutical researchers with information on the progress of scientific research on improving or reducing Pulmonary fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine, and to provide reference for further pharmacological research.
PubMed: 37537605
DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00797-7 -
Cells May 2022COPD is an incurable disorder, characterized by a progressive alveolar tissue destruction and defective mechanisms of repair and defense leading to emphysema. Currently,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
COPD is an incurable disorder, characterized by a progressive alveolar tissue destruction and defective mechanisms of repair and defense leading to emphysema. Currently, treatment for COPD is exclusively symptomatic; therefore, stem cell-based therapies represent a promising therapeutic approach to regenerate damaged structures of the respiratory system and restore lung function. The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative synthesis of the efficacy profile of stem cell-based regenerative therapies and derived products in COPD patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA-P. Data from 371 COPD patients were extracted from 11 studies. Active treatments elicited a strong tendency towards significance in FEV1 improvement (+71 mL 95% CI -2−145; p = 0.056) and significantly increased 6MWT (52 m 95% CI 18−87; p < 0.05) vs. baseline or control. Active treatments did not reduce the risk of hospitalization due to acute exacerbations (RR 0.77 95% CI 0.40−1.49; p > 0.05). This study suggests that stem cell-based regenerative therapies and derived products may be effective to treat COPD patients, but the current evidence comes from small clinical trials. Large and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to really quantify the beneficial impact of stem cell-based regenerative therapy and derived products in COPD.
Topics: Emphysema; Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Stem Cells
PubMed: 35681492
DOI: 10.3390/cells11111797 -
National Journal of Maxillofacial... 2023This systematic review mainly focuses on the effects of curcumin on oral cancer cells at the molecular level and summarizes the results of the studies. We searched and... (Review)
Review
This systematic review mainly focuses on the effects of curcumin on oral cancer cells at the molecular level and summarizes the results of the studies. We searched and analyzed various databases such as Pub Med, ProQuest, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus. Searches were conducted from 2006 to 2021. This systematic review evaluated various effects of curcumin on oral cancer at the molecular level. All the studies related to the effects of curcumin on oral cancer, both in-vivo and in-vitro, were included. After abstract and text screening a total of 13 articles were finally selected for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All most all the included studies reported that after treating the cell lines with curcumin there is a reduction in cell proliferation and cell growth, analyzed using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Curcumin also induces S phase cell cycle arrest and also prevents Tregs migration. The curcumin reverses the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) back to mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET). From this review, it is concluded that curcumin inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis, and induced apoptosis via modulating multiple signaling pathways in oral cancer cell lines. But further clinical trials are needed for a detailed evaluation of the effects of curcumin on patients with oral cancer.
PubMed: 37273438
DOI: 10.4103/njms.njms_29_22 -
Cureus Dec 2022Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a frequent sequela of modern medicine when infants are born prematurely. Currently, there is no single treatment or combination of... (Review)
Review
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.
PubMed: 36660501
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32598 -
Journal of Orthopaedics Jan 2023The potential for cartilage repair using articular cartilage derived chondroprogenitors has recently gained popularity due to promising results from in-vitro and in-vivo... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
The potential for cartilage repair using articular cartilage derived chondroprogenitors has recently gained popularity due to promising results from in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Translation of results from in-vitro to a clinical setting requires a sufficient number of animal studies displaying significant positive outcomes. Thus, this systematic review comprehensively discusses the available literature (January 2000-March 2022) on animal models employing chondroprogenitors for cartilage regeneration, highlighting the results and limitations associated with their use.As per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a web-based search of PubMed and SCOPUS databases was performed for the following terminologies: "chondroprogenitors", "cartilage-progenitors", and "chondrogenic-progenitors", which yielded 528 studies. A total of 12 studies met the standardized inclusion criteria, which included chondroprogenitors derived from hyaline cartilage isolated using fibronectin adhesion assay (FAA) or migratory assay from explant cultures, further analyzing the role of chondroprogenitors using in-vivo animal models.
PRINCIPAL RESULTS
Analysis revealed that FAA chondroprogenitors demonstrated the ability to attenuate osteoarthritis, repair chondral defects and form stable cartilage in animal models. They displayed better outcomes than bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells but were comparable to chondrocytes. Migratory chondroprogenitors also demonstrated superiority to BM-MSCs in terms of higher chondrogenesis and lower hypertrophy, although a direct comparison to FAA-CPs and other cell types is warranted.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
Chondroprogenitors exhibit superior properties for chondrogenic repair; however, limited data on animal studies necessitates further studies to optimize their use before clinical translation for neo-cartilage formation.
PubMed: 36387762
DOI: 10.1016/j.jor.2022.10.012 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024This meta-analysis includes the systematic literature review and meta-analysis involving clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This meta-analysis includes the systematic literature review and meta-analysis involving clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation for treating T1DM and T2DM.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library for "published" research from their inception until November 2023. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies' inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis included 13 studies on MSC treatment for diabetes.
RESULTS
The MSC-treated group had a significantly lower HbA1c at the last follow-up compared to the baseline (MD: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.57, -value: 0.003< 0.05), their insulin requirement was significantly lower (MD: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.31, -value: 0.002< 0.05), the level of FBG with MSC transplantation significantly dropped compared to baseline (MD: 1.78, 95% CI: -1.02 to 4.58, -value: 0.212), the FPG level of the MSC-treated group was significantly lower (MD: -0.77, 95% CI: -2.36 to 0.81, -value: 0.339 > 0.05), and the fasting C-peptide level of the MSC-treated group was slightly high (MD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.02, value: 0.231 > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The transplantation of MSCs has been found to positively impact both types of diabetes mellitus without signs of apparent adverse effects.
Topics: Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Treatment Outcome; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 38800472
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1380443 -
Immuno-oncology Technology Dec 2023Sarcomas are tumors that originate from mesenchymal cells. The variety of sarcomas' response to chemotherapy and the wide range of prognosis reflect their heterogeneity.... (Review)
Review
Sarcomas are tumors that originate from mesenchymal cells. The variety of sarcomas' response to chemotherapy and the wide range of prognosis reflect their heterogeneity. In order to improve the rates of response, the research has been orientated toward other forms of therapy, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy or toward combinations of them. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been the highlight of immunotherapy in the last decade. Although ICIs are already included in the guidelines of different malignancies, their clinical benefit in sarcomas is still under study. Alveolar soft part sarcomas, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas and other subtypes of sarcoma with high presence of tertiary lymphoid structures tend to respond to ICIs, but further investigation is still needed. Furthermore, the search of predictive biomarkers to determine the type of sarcomas that are sensitive to ICIs is still very challenging. This review will focus on the results of clinical trials, which examine the effect of ICIs and their combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapies and other forms of immunotherapy in sarcomas.
PubMed: 38192615
DOI: 10.1016/j.iotech.2023.100407 -
Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal... 2022Regenerative cell therapies, such as adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), have been postulated as potential treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Regenerative cell therapies, such as adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF), have been postulated as potential treatments for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and safety of SVF treatment against placebo and other standard therapies for treating KOA in adult patients.
DESIGN
A systematic review.
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS
We searched the following databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Epistemonikos, PEDro, DynaMed, TripDatabase, Elsevier via Clinicalkey and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. We included prospective interventional studies where treatment with SVF in adults with KOA was compared against placebo or other standard therapies, and results were objectively measured with at least one widely recognised osteoarthritis scale.
RESULTS
Among 266 studies published until May 2021, nine met our inclusion criteria. A total of 239 patients (274 knees) were included in our study. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. Six studies had a control group (only one being placebo). All studies showed that SVF improved pain and functionality measured, in most cases, with the visual analogue scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. In addition, five studies reported an improvement in anatomical structures, as detected in MR images. However, the number of cells contained in SVF varied substantially between different studies, which could induce a comparison bias.
CONCLUSION
Although based on a small number of dissimilar studies, SVF was considered a safe treatment for KOA and could be promising in terms of pain, functionality and anatomical structure improvement. However, SVF products need to be standardised, the number of cells homogenised and the use of concomitant treatments reduced to establish proper comparisons.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021284187.
PubMed: 35991523
DOI: 10.1177/1759720X221117879 -
Breast Cancer : Basic and Clinical... 2023Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women globally, and mesenchymal stem cells have been widely implicated in tumour... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women globally, and mesenchymal stem cells have been widely implicated in tumour progression. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to identify and summarise existing literature on the effects of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the migration of breast cancer cells (BCCs) in vitro, to determine the direction of this relationship according to existing research and to identify the directions for future research.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducting using a collection of databases, using the following search terms: in vitro AND mesenchymal stem cells AND breast cancer. Only studies that investigated the effects of human, unmodified MSCs on the migration of human, unmodified BCCs in vitro were included. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated to determine pooled effect sizes.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis demonstrates that hMSCs (different sources combined) increase the migration of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines in vitro (SMD = 1.84, = .03 and SMD = 2.69, < .00001, respectively). Importantly, the individual effects of hMSCs from different sources were also analysed and demonstrated that MSCs derived from human adipose tissue increase BCC migration (SMD = 1.34, = .0002) and those derived from umbilical cord increased both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 migration (SMD = 3.93, < .00001 and SMD = 3.01, < .00001, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis investigating and summarising the effects of hMSCs from different sources on the migration of BCCs, in vitro.
PubMed: 36710995
DOI: 10.1177/11782234221145385