Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Signals for Hope?

Abstract

Based on the distinctive cellular, molecular and immunomodulatory traits of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), it has been postulated that these cells may play a critical role in regenerative medicine. In addition to the participation of MSC in the repair of mesodermal-derived tissues (bone, cartilage), robust data have suggested that MSC may also play a reparative role in conditions involving damage of cells of ectodermal origin. The above content has been supported by the capability of MSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells as well as by a competence to generate a ‘neuroprotective’ environment. In turn, several preclinical studies have put forward the concept that MSC therapy may represent an option for the treatment of several neurological disorders and injuries, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We expect that the above foundations, which have inspired this review, may result in the founding of an effective and/or palliative therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Keywords::

• ALS
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• cell-based therapy
• mesenchymal stem cells
• MSC

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank those ALS patients, particularly from LA, USA, that perused the details of their clinical trial at ClinicalTrials.gov, and came in contact with them. From them they learned and understood the meaning of hopefulness: the other (consistently) never published side of the disease. For this reason, their commitment and responsibility, which without doubt is shared by many other biomedical actors, is to contribute in a humble manner to find the breakthrough that will bring assistance and welfare to these patients.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by TCA Cellular Therapy, LLC, Covington, LA 70433, USA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by TCA Cellular Therapy, LLC, Covington, LA 70433, USA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.