Dear Editor,
Stem cell therapy has been investigated by a number of basic, pre-clinical and clinical studies, and these studies have proved that stem cells are safe and effective in the treatment of many medical conditions and diseases.(1-4) A study including 10 patients with confirmed diagnosis for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and pneumonia due to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), reported significant improvement in symptoms of all patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with no adverse effects. Of these patients, 7 were treated with intravenous concentration of 1x106 cells per kilogram of body weight and 3 were treated with placebo. Patients were followed-up for 14 days. Results observed included a significant reduction of chest infiltration, reduction of proinflammatory cytocines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and an increase of peripheral lymphocytes rate with phenotype recovering of CD4+ T cell count and dendritic. In addition, an increase was observed of anti-inflammatory gene expression and trophic factors.(5) Although further studies including more patients are warranted, data published in the literature so far suggest that MSCs is safe and effective for treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.(5)
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000029990).
REFERENCES
- 1.1. Alessandrini M, Preynat-Seauve O, De Bruin K, Pepper MS. Stem cell therapy for neurological disorders. S Afr Med J. 2019;109(8b):70-7. Review. [DOI] [PubMed]; Alessandrini M, Preynat-Seauve O, De Bruin K, Pepper MS. Stem cell therapy for neurological disorders. S Afr Med J. 2019;109(8b):70–77. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2019.v109i8b.14009. Review. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.2. Doyle EC, Wragg NM, Wilson SL. Intraarticular injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhances regeneration in knee osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s00167-020-05859-z. [Epub ahead of print] Review. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]; Doyle EC, Wragg NM, Wilson SL. Intraarticular injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhances regeneration in knee osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020 Jan 31; doi: 10.1007/s00167-020-05859-z. Epub ahead of print. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.3. Hostettler KE, Gazdhar A, Khan P, Savic S, Tamo L, Lardinois D, et al. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells in lung fibrosis. PLoS One. 2017;12(8):e0181946. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2018;13(1):e0191144. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]; Hostettler KE, Gazdhar A, Khan P, Savic S, Tamo L, Lardinois D, et al. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells in lung fibrosis. PLoS One. 2017;12(8):e0181946. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181946. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2018;13(1):e0191144. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.4. Maranda EL, Rodriguez-Menocal L, Badiavas EV. Role of mesenchymal stem cells in dermal repair in burns and diabetic wounds. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017;12(1):61-70. Review. [DOI] [PubMed]; Maranda EL, Rodriguez-Menocal L, Badiavas EV. Role of mesenchymal stem cells in dermal repair in burns and diabetic wounds. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017;12(1):61–70. doi: 10.2174/1574888x11666160714115926. Review. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.5. Leng Z, Zhu R, Hou W, Feng Y, Yang Y, Han Q, et al. Transplantation of ACE2(-)mesenchymal stem cells improves the outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Aging Dis. 2020;11(2):216-28. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]; Leng Z, Zhu R, Hou W, Feng Y, Yang Y, Han Q, et al. Transplantation of ACE2(-)mesenchymal stem cells improves the outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Aging Dis. 2020;11(2):216–228. doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.0228. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]