title: Clinical studies in stem cells transplantation for stroke: a review.
abstract: Stroke is a significant cause of long-term disability. Currently, once damage from a stroke is established little can be done to recover lost function. Cell transplantation emerged as possible alternative therapy, on the basis of animal studies showing that cells transplanted into the brain not only survive, but also lead to functional improvement in different neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells have been tested in stroke patients as a possible treatment option. While initially stem cells seemed to work by a 'cell replacement' mechanism, it is emerging that cell therapy works mostly by providing trophic support to the injured tissue and brain, fostering both neurogenesis and angiogenesis. This review summarizes clinical studies on stem cell transplantation in stroke patients to evaluate the safety, feasibility of administration and tolerability of this experimental treatment. At present there is little evidence to assess the applicability of this treatment in stroke patients and well designed clinical trials are necessary to evaluate safety and toxicity as well as optimal cell type, route and time of delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences (Neurology Unit), Milan University, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bersano
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ballabio
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanfranconi
authors.forename: Giorgio B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Boncoraglio
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corti
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Nereo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bresolin
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parati
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Candelise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*