Strategy for Maximizing Therapeutic Efficacy of Adult Stem Cells

Abstract

Stem cells have been suggested for the treatment of intractable neurological diseases. In spite of numerous clinical trials using autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), unfortunately, clinical efficacy has not yet been proved except for its safety. Although there are several reasons for unsuccessful efficacy of stem cell therapy using adult stem cells, we should consider the exact factors that may improve the therapeutic efficacy of adult stem cells. One of the most important factors is the patient's age when MSCs are obtained from patients. It is associated with decreased functions of MSCs. Several reports have shown that MSCs from elderly persons have decreased capacities in the secretion of neurotrophic factors and migration to the lesion site. Therefore, procedures potentiating MSCs need to be studied during ex-vivo expansion. To suggest diverse procedures to improve capacities of MSCs for improvement of therapeutic efficacy, I will discuss previously reported methods potentiating MSCs and will suggest further experiments.