Injectable Allogenic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Challenges

Culture expansion of adult mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from mixed populations of tissue-specific connective tissue progenitors from bone marrow, perivascular cells, or adipose tissue has the potential to further our understanding of human physiology and may serve as a foundation for novel therapeutics in all areas of medicine. The use of allogeneic MSCs confers a number of theoretical benefits compared to alternative sourcing of MSCs. Specifically, allogeneic MSCs avoid the work, cost, and donor morbidity of harvesting cells directly from individual patients, may offer higher-quality cells compared to those available to the patient, and may confer immunologic benefits separate from tissue regeneration. However, there are drawbacks to the use of allogeneic MSCs, including immune response to foreign material and patient injury. Overall, the use of allogeneic MSCs is on the forefront of modern medicine and may represent a new method of therapy for the average patient; however, there is an acute need for future investigation to understand the risks, benefits, and limitations of allogeneic MSCs.