A Review of Treatment Methods Focusing on Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Medicina, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59071235 · Published: July 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This review discusses the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs) for treating chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). While these cells have shown promise in treating subacute SCI, their effectiveness in the chronic phase is limited due to factors like scarring and muscle contractures. The review suggests that a combination of therapies may be necessary to overcome the challenges of treating chronic SCI. This includes cell transplantation, drug administration, and rehabilitation. The review also highlights the need for further research into therapeutic approaches for more severe chronic SCI and the achievement of practical motor function.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Animal models

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Cell transplantation therapy is more effective in the subacute phase of SCI than in the chronic phase.
2
The microenvironment of the injured spinal cord changes over time, with the chronic phase presenting challenges such as scars and cavities that hinder regeneration.
3
Combination therapies, including cell transplantation, drug administration, and rehabilitation, may offer a more promising approach for treating chronic SCI.

Research Summary

Cell transplantation therapy using hiPSC-NS/PCs has shown promise for SCI treatment, particularly in the subacute phase. However, chronic SCI presents challenges due to scarring and other factors. The review emphasizes the need for combination therapies to address the complexities of chronic SCI, including cell transplantation, drug interventions, and rehabilitation. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment strategies for severe chronic SCI and to achieve practical motor function recovery.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The review highlights the potential of hiPSC-NS/PC transplantation for SCI treatment, but emphasizes the need for further research to translate these findings into effective clinical therapies for chronic SCI patients.

Combination Therapy Development

The review suggests that future research should focus on developing and optimizing combination therapies that integrate cell transplantation, drug interventions, and rehabilitation to address the complexities of chronic SCI.

Personalized Treatment Strategies

The review underscores the importance of considering the time since injury, the level and severity of the injury when selecting treatment methods for SCI, suggesting the need for personalized treatment strategies.

Study Limitations

1
The review focuses primarily on animal models of SCI.
2
The optimal combination of therapies for chronic SCI remains unclear.
3
The review acknowledges that translating preclinical findings to clinical practice is a significant challenge.

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