Cell Therapy for Stroke: A Mechanistic Analysis. Issue 4 (28th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gu, Ben Jiahe; Kung, David K; Chen, Han-Chiao Isaac
• Is Part Of: Neurosurgery. Volume 88:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 733
• Page End: 745
• Publication Date: 2020-12-28
• Subjects: Cell therapy -- Clinical trial -- Stem cells -- Stroke -- Tissue engineering -- Tissue therapy; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.48005
• DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-396X

Abstract

Abstract: Cell therapy has been widely recognized as a promising strategy to enhance recovery in stroke survivors. However, despite an abundance of encouraging preclinical data, successful clinical translation remains elusive. As the field continues to advance, it is important to reexamine prior clinical trials in the context of their intended mechanisms, as this can inform future preclinical and translational efforts. In the present work, we review the major clinical trials of cell therapy for stroke and highlight a mechanistic shift between the earliest studies, which aimed to replace dead and damaged neurons, and later ones that focused on exploiting the various neuromodulatory effects afforded by stem cells. We discuss why both mechanisms are worth pursuing and emphasize the means through which cell replacement can still be achieved.