Vascular disease and stem cell therapies

• Published in: British medical bulletin Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 187 - 197
• Main Authors: Lasala, G. P., Minguell, J. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.06.2011
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Applied cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic - methods; Endothelial Cells - transplantation; Extremities - blood supply; General aspects; Humans; Ischemia - therapy; Medical sciences; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Stem Cell Transplantation - methods; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Treatment Outcome; Medicine; Vascular disease; Cardiovascular disease; Cell therapy; Treatment; Stem cell
• ISSN: 0007-1420; 1471-8391; 1471-8391
• DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldr017

Peripheral vascular disease is the leading cause of limb ischemia (LI). LI is manifested by claudication, ischemic rest pain, ulcers or gangrene. It is the result of peripheral arterial disease due to atherosclerosis. Over the last decade, several centers around the world have initiated clinical trials utilizing stem cells as a treatment for this disease. Published medical literature, clinical trials announced in clinical trials.gov and TCA cellular therapy experience. There is general agreement that stem cells are useful for LI. These arise from the type of cells, dose, route of administration and methods to evaluate efficacy. Growing evidence suggests that bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells are as good as or superior to mononuclear cells, and a combination of both cell types may be even better. Based on current trials and publications, several promising biological products could become part of the therapeutic arsenal for LI. This may include combinations of more than one type of adult/induced pluripotent stem cells/embryonic stem cells, use of stem cells with growth factors or extracellular matrix molecules.