Open AccessTreatment of COVID-19 by stage: any space left for mesenchymal stem cell therapy?
Author(s) -
Gaia Spinetti,
Elisa Avolio,
Paolo Madeddu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1746-076X
pISSN - 1746-0751
DOI - 10.2217/rme-2020-0189
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , cell therapy , medicine , stem cell therapy , stem cell , pandemic , intensive care medicine , clinical trial , disease , covid-19 , immune system , immunology , pathology , biology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , genetics
In many countries, COVID-19 now accounts for more deaths per year than car accidents and even the deadliest wars. Combating the viral pandemics requires a coordinated effort to develop therapeutic protocols adaptable to the disease severity. In this review article, we summarize a graded approach aiming to shield cells from SARS-CoV-2 entry and infection, inhibit excess inflammation and evasion of the immune response, and ultimately prevent systemic organ failure. Moreover, we focus on mesenchymal stem cell therapy, which has shown safety and efficacy as a treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases. The cell therapy approach is now repurposed in patients with severe COVID-19. Numerous trials of mesenchymal stem cell therapy are ongoing, especially in China and the USA. Leader companies in cell therapy have also started controlled trials utilizing their quality assessed cell products. Results are too premature to reach definitive conclusions.