The impact of stem cells in neuro-oncology: applications, evidence, limitations and challenges

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Stem cells (SCs) represent a recent and attractive therapeutic option for neuro-oncology, as well as for treating degenerative, ischemic and traumatic pathologies of the central nervous system. This is mainly because of their homing capacity, which makes them capable of reaching the inaccessible SC niches of the tumor, therefore, acting as living drugs. The target of the study is a comprehensive overview of the SC-based therapies in neuro-oncology, also highlighting the current translational challenges of this type of approach. Methods An online search of the literature was carried out on the PubMed/MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov websites, restricting it to the most pertinent keywords regarding the systematization of the SCs and their therapeutic use for malignant brain tumors. A large part of the search was dedicated to clinical trials. Only preclinical and clinical data belonging to the last 5 years were shortlisted. A further sorting was implemented based on the best match and relevance. Results The results consisted in 96 relevant articles and 31 trials. Systematization involves a distinction between human embryonic, fetal and adult, but also totipotent, pluripotent or multipotent SCs. Mesenchymal and neuronal SCs were the most studied for neuro-oncological illnesses. 30% and 50% of the trials were phase I and II, respectively. Conclusion Mesenchymal and neuronal

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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