Abstract:

The number of individuals with chronic cutaneous wounds has been increasing worldwide due to an aging population, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. In the United States, almost seven million Americans have chronic skin ulcers. Many therapeutic approaches have been used. However, the treatment outcomes are not always ideal because of failure to achieve complete wound closure in around 60% of cases, scarring, and high rate of recurrence. Therefore, there is a need for more effective therapies. Stem cells offer promising possibilities. Pre-clinical studies have shown that bone- or adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a competitive advantage over other types of stem cells due to their better defined multipotent differentiating potential, paracrine effects, immunomodulatory properties, and safety. However, large controlled clinical trials are needed to examine the capabilities of MSCs in humans and to assess their safety profile. In this review, we highlight emerging treatments in tissue regeneration and repair and provide some perspectives on how to translate current knowledge about stem cells—both multipotent and pluripotent—into viable clinical approaches for treating patients with difficult to heal wounds.

Authors:

Ayman Grada, MD, Research Fellow, Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, Vincent Falanga, MD, FACP, Program Director and Vice-Chair of Research, Department of Dermatology and Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

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