The potential benefit of stem cell therapy after stroke: an update

Video abstract

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Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Stem cell therapy is an emerging therapeutic modality with evidence of significant benefits in preclinical stroke models. A number of phase I and II clinical trials have now been completed, with several more currently under way. Translation to the bedside, however, remains a long way off, and there are many questions that remain unanswered. This review will summarize the current evidence and ongoing clinical trials worldwide, and explore the challenges to making this a realistic treatment option for the future.

Keywords:

• stroke
• stem cells
• clinical trials

Contributors

All authors participated in the writing of the manuscript.

Disclosure

All authors are involved in an ongoing clinical trial of autologous CD34⁺ stem cell therapy in ischemic stroke. Nagy Habib has shares in OmniCyte.