Advances in Stem Cell Therapy: Specific Applications in the Treatment of Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome
January 2014
in “
Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy
”
TLDR Stem cell therapy improves healing and reduces pain in cutaneous radiation syndrome.
The document reviewed advances in stem cell therapy for treating cutaneous radiation syndrome, a condition resulting from local irradiation exposure above 15Gy, characterized by inflammatory waves, incomplete wound healing, and poor revascularization. Traditional treatments were largely ineffective, but recent developments showed that local injection of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improved wound healing and reduced pain, despite challenges like culture delays and the need for non-irradiated areas for stem cell harvesting. Autologous or allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells emerged as promising alternatives due to their ease of collection and expansion, along with pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Other strategies, such as stem cell manipulation for trophic factor production and the use of stem cell culture media, were also explored as potential therapies.