Stem and Progenitor Cell-Based Therapy of the Central Nervous System: Hopes, Hype, and Wishful Thinking

• Published in: Cell stem cell Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 174 - 188
• Main Author: Goldman, Steven A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 04.02.2016
• Subjects: Animals; astrocyte; cell therapy; Cellular Reprogramming; Central Nervous System - pathology; Central Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Clinical Trials as Topic; Disease Models, Animal; glial progenitor cell; Humans; Mice; myelin disease; Nerve Degeneration - pathology; Nerve Degeneration - therapy; neural stem cell; neurodegenerative disease; neurological therapeutics; oligodendrocyte progenitor cell; Phenotype; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells - cytology; neural stem cell; neurodegenerative disease; neurological therapeutics; cell therapy; glial progenitor cell; astrocyte; oligodendrocyte progenitor cell; myelin disease
• ISSN: 1934-5909; 1875-9777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.01.012

A variety of neurological disorders are attractive targets for stem and progenitor cell-based therapy. Yet many conditions are not, whether by virtue of an inhospitable disease environment, poorly understood pathophysiology, or poor alignment of donor cell capabilities with patient needs. Moreover, some disorders may be medically feasible targets but are not practicable, in light of already available treatments, poor risk-benefit and cost-benefit profiles, or resource limitations. This Perspective seeks to define those neurological conditions most appropriate for cell replacement therapy by considering its potential efficacy and clinical feasibility in those disorders, as well as potential impediments to its application. A variety of neurological disorders are attractive targets for stem and progenitor cell-based therapy, but there are some conditions which are not. This Perspective seeks to define those neurological conditions most appropriate for cell replacement therapy by considering the potential efficacy, clinical feasibility, and impediments to application.