Stem cell-based therapy for systemic sclerosis

Rheumatology Advances in Practice, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkad101 · Published: November 20, 2023

Rheumatology Regenerative Medicine Immunology

Simple Explanation

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease where the body makes too much collagen, leading to thickening of the skin and internal organs and causing problems with blood vessels. Stem cell therapy is being explored as a treatment option. Stem cells can divide and turn into specialized cells, like muscle cells, and may help improve disease activity and symptoms. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are two types of stem cells that can improve the disease in people with SSc, leading to improvement in disease signs and symptoms.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

SSc patients

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) improve disease activity and severity in SSc patients.
2
Both MSC and HSC treatments lead to improvements in skewed immunological parameters, promoting overall disease improvement.
3
Both MSCs and HSCs have demonstrated safety in treating SSc.

Research Summary

This review discusses the efficacy of stem cell therapy (SCT) using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for systemic sclerosis (SSc). Both MSCT and HSCT could improve disease activity and severity in SSc patients and resulted in improvement in clinical manifestations and immunological parameters. The review also highlights the need for further studies to determine the optimal stem cell source, the autologous versus allogeneic origin of stem cells, and the type of stem cells to maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize complications.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Stem cell therapy, involving MSCs and HSCs, shows promise for treating SSc by improving disease activity and clinical manifestations.

Immunomodulation

Stem cell treatments can improve skewed immunological parameters, promoting overall disease improvement in SSc patients.

Personalized Treatment

Further research is needed to determine the optimal stem cell source and type for individual patients to maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize complications.

Study Limitations

1
Choice of tissue from which stem cells should be derived remains unknown.
2
Autologous vs allogeneic or xenogeneic origin of stem cells is not clearly defined.
3
Predictive factors of transplantation outcome remain largely unknown.

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