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Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Digestive System Disorders: Progress Made and Future Directions

  • Cellular Transplants (G Orlando, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize the results from clinical trials that evoked promise and discouragement for the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat digestive system disorders.

Recent Findings

Adult MSCs are defined as a non-homogeneous population of pluripotent progenitor cells, which can be isolated and expanded in vitro from different tissues. The differentiation capacity of MSC along mesenchymal lineages and their immunomodulatory properties have been considered a new therapeutic approach for intestinal disorders. A dysregulated immune response is the cause and sustainment of these disorders, as they are characterized by progressive tissue damage with no available curative treatment.

Up to now, 130 clinical trials on MSC-based therapy are registered to treat conditions affecting the digestive system.

Summary

The results from completed or underway clinical studies are encouraging, showing both benefit for those digestive disorders refractory to any conventional therapy and progression toward end-stage liver disease. However, the absence of large, robust controlled, and randomized clinical trials to assess MSC clinical efficacy limits MSC-based therapy translation to bedside reality to completely cure digestive disorders.

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Funding

The manuscript was supported by a grant from Ministero della Salute (GR -2009 Convenzione 76) to SV; My First AIRC Grant (MFAG 2015-17795) to SV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Barbara Romano

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy

    Ana Lleo & Stefania Vetrano

  3. Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Ana Lleo

  4. IBD Center, Laboratory of Immunology in Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Emanuela Sala & Stefania Vetrano

  5. “Centro Ricerca Tettamanti” Pediatric Department, University of Milano-Bicocca, Fondazione MBBM, 20900, Monza, Italy

    Giovanna D’Amico

  6. Ohio State College of Arts and Science, Columbus, OH, USA

    Domenica Ida Marino

  7. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, AOUI Policlinico G.B. Rossi and University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Rachele Ciccocioppo

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Correspondence to Stefania Vetrano.

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Rachele Ciccocioppo received a consulting (honorary) fee by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (USA). Ana Lleo has served as a speaker for Abbvie, BMS, Gilead, and Intercept. Barbara Romano, Emanuela Sala, Giovanna D’Amico, Domenica Ida Marino and Stefania Vetrano have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Romano, B., Lleo, A., Sala, E. et al. Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Digestive System Disorders: Progress Made and Future Directions. Curr Transpl Rep 6, 134–145 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-019-00238-1

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