Application and Progress of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Chronic Wound Healing: A Narrative Review
February 2026
in “
BMC Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
”
Studysummary This review suggests that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold promise for treating chronic wounds, but further work is needed to address safety, efficacy, and translation from preclinical models to real-world applications.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising alternative for treating chronic wounds due to their ability to differentiate into all cell types in healthy skin and their derivation from minimally invasive sources like skin or blood. iPSCs can enhance wound healing by promoting angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, cell migration, and inflammation modulation. They also provide potential for cell-free therapies through extracellular vesicles and for creating complex tissue-engineered skin substitutes. Despite these advancements, challenges such as safety, immunocompatibility, and efficacy remain. Successful clinical translation will require strategies to maintain bioactivity, standardized dosing, and long-term safety assessments under scalable GMP-compatible workflows.
