title: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: a new ''cells as drugs'' paradigm. Efficacy and critical aspects in cell therapy.
abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were first isolated more than 50 years ago from the bone marrow. Currently MSCs may also be isolated from several alternative sources and they have been used in more than a hundred clinical trials worldwide to treat a wide variety of diseases. The MSCs mechanism of action is undefined and currently under investigation. For in vivo purposes MSCs must be produced in compliance with good manufacturing practices and this has stimulated research on MSCs characterization and safety. The objective of this review is to describe recent developments regarding MSCs properties, physiological effects, delivery, clinical applications and possible side effects.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Biotecnologie applicate all'Ortopedia, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Girolamo
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lucarelli
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Avanzini
authors.forename: Maria Ester
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bernardo
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biagi
authors.forename: Anna Teresa
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Brini
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fagioli
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maccario
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marazzi
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Parolini
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pessina
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.lastname: Italian Mesenchymal Stem Cell Group
mesh_terms: D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology