Optimizing mesenchymal stem cell-based therapeutics.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapeutics are showing significant benefit in multiple clinical trials conducted by both academic and commercial organizations, but obstacles remain for their large-scale commercial implementation. Recent studies have attempted to optimize MSC-based therapeutics by either enhancing their potency or increasing their delivery to target tissues. Overexpression of trophic factors or in vitro exposure to potency-enhancing factors are two approaches that are demonstrating success in preclinical animal models. Delivery enhancement strategies involving tissue-specific cytokine pathways or binding sites are also showing promise. Each of these strategies has its own set of distinct advantages and disadvantages when viewed with a mindset of ultimate commercialization and clinical utility.
Wagner
Joseph
J
Cell Targeting, Inc., 11000 Cedar Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Kean
Thomas
T
Young
Randell
R
Dennis
James E
JE
Caplan
Arnold I
AI
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity