Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Cell Therapy: Recent Advances and Expectations

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Gene and Cell Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 3939

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: angiogenesis; cancer biology; spheroids; mesenchymal stromal cells; cancer associated fibroblasts; perinatal derivatives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: immunomodulation; mesenchymal stromal cells; cancer biology; regenerative medicine; immunology; perinatal derivatives; secretoma; extracellular vesicles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be derived from various human tissues and organs. These cells exhibit a multipotent differentiation capacity in vitro. Although this characteristic has made them appealing for regenerative medicine applications due to their potential to regenerate damaged tissue, it has been observed over the years that the true therapeutic effect of these cells is associated with their paracrine action, particularly their ability to modulate the surrounding microenvironment, thereby promoting tissue homeostasis restoration. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the secretome of MSCs, comprising the factors produced and released by these cells, including proteins, lipids, extracellular vesicles, and other factors, plays a pivotal role not only in the context of regenerative medicine but also in the tumor microenvironment. Through their immunomodulatory action, MSCs can contribute to the tumor's immune evasion mechanism.

Indeed, various components released by MSCs, particularly extracellular vesicles, among the factors responsible for their paracrine action, play a significant role in modulating the tumor microenvironment and influencing tumor development. Recent studies have specifically highlighted the critical involvement of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomes (MSC-derived exosomes) in cancer resistance to chemotherapy agents, targeted therapy drugs, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.

We invite original research and review articles that can contribute to the advancement of knowledge and discussion on two aspects of MSC paracrine activity:

  1. The ability to exert a pro-regenerative action;
  2. The capacity to play a significant role in the tumor microenvironment or potentially act therapeutically in the field of oncology.

Dr. Paola Chiodelli
Dr. Andrea Papait
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cancer
  • exosome
  • mesenchymal stem cell
  • therapy resistance
  • regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

24 pages, 1275 KiB  
Review
Emerging Role of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell and Exosome Therapies in Treating Cognitive Impairment
by Vick Key Tew, Muttiah Barathan, Fazlina Nordin, Jia Xian Law and Min Hwei Ng
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17030284 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 929
Abstract
Cognitive aging, characterized by the gradual decline in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, significantly impacts daily life. This decline is often accelerated by neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). AD is marked by the accumulation of [...] Read more.
Cognitive aging, characterized by the gradual decline in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, significantly impacts daily life. This decline is often accelerated by neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). AD is marked by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, whereas PD involves the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Both conditions lead to severe cognitive impairment, greatly diminishing the quality of life for affected individuals. Recent advancements in regenerative medicine have highlighted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their derived exosomes as promising therapeutic options. MSCs possess regenerative, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, which can promote neurogenesis, reduce inflammation, and support neuronal health. Exosomes, nanosized vesicles derived from MSCs, provide an efficient means for delivering bioactive molecules across the blood–brain barrier, targeting the underlying pathologies of AD and PD. While these therapies hold great promise, challenges such as variability in MSC sources, optimal dosing, and effective delivery methods need to be addressed for clinical application. The development of robust protocols, along with rigorous clinical trials, is crucial for validating the safety and efficacy of MSC and exosome therapies. Future research should focus on overcoming these barriers, optimizing treatment strategies, and exploring the integration of MSC and exosome therapies with lifestyle interventions. By addressing these challenges, MSC- and exosome-based therapies could offer transformative solutions for improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by cognitive aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
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24 pages, 1620 KiB  
Review
Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
by Jennifer McDonald, Sidhesh Mohak and Zsolt Fabian
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(3), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030381 - 11 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2342
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease constitutes a noteworthy public health challenge characterized by a pronounced incidence, frequency, and mortality rate, particularly impacting specific demographic groups, and imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare infrastructure. Certain risk factors, such as age, gender, and smoking, contribute to the [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular disease constitutes a noteworthy public health challenge characterized by a pronounced incidence, frequency, and mortality rate, particularly impacting specific demographic groups, and imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare infrastructure. Certain risk factors, such as age, gender, and smoking, contribute to the prevalence of fatal cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Current challenges in clinical practice involve medication complexities, the lack of a systematic decision-making approach, and prevalent drug therapy problems. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles stand as versatile entities with a unique molecular fingerprint, holding significant therapeutic potential across a spectrum of applications, particularly in the realm of cardio-protection. Their lipid, protein, and nucleic acid compositions, coupled with their multifaceted functions, underscore their role as promising mediators in regenerative medicine and pave the way for further exploration of their intricate contributions to cellular physiology and pathology. Here, we overview our current understanding of the possible role of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the clinical management of human cardiovascular pathologies. Full article
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