Unlocking the Potential: The Importance of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis has emerged as a revolutionary approach to address the root cause of this debilitating condition. This editorial provides a concise overview of the significance of MSC therapy in the context of knee osteoarthritis treatment. Knee osteoarthritis is a common and costly condition that affects millions worldwide, necessitating a paradigm shift in treatment strategies. Current approaches primarily focus on symptom management, leaving the underlying cartilage degeneration unaddressed. MSC therapy offers the potential to regenerate damaged cartilage, reduce pain, improve function, and potentially delay the need for surgery. This minimally invasive and safe procedure presents a promising avenue for patients seeking long-lasting relief from knee osteoarthritis. However, while the therapy shows significant potential, ongoing research, clinical trials, and efforts to ensure accessibility and affordability are essential for realizing its full impact. In conclusion, MSC therapy represents a beacon of hope for those afflicted by knee osteoarthritis, holding the promise of transforming a debilitating condition into a manageable one and thereby enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals.


Keywords: mesenchymal stem cell therapy, knee osteoarthritis, cartilage regeneration, minimally invasive treatment, introduction

References
[1] Ekediegwu EC, Akpaenyi CE, Nwosu IB, Onyeso OK. Demographic and disease characteristics associated with pain intensity, kinesiophobia, balance, and fall self-efficacy among people with osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study. Bmc Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23(1):1-9.

[2] Wang W, Niu Y, Jia Q. Physical therapy as a promising treatment for osteoarthritis: A narrative review. Front Physiol. 2022;13:1011407.

[3] Zhu C, Wu W, Qu X. Mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis therapy: A review. Am J Transl Res. 2021;13(2):448-61.

[4] Shumnalieva R, Kotov G, Monov S. Obesity-related knee osteoarthritis-current concepts. Life (Basel). 2023;13(8).

[5] Alyousef YS, Johnston V, Smith MD. Work-related outcomes in individuals with and without lower limb osteoarthritis: An online survey. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1885.

[6] Geng R, Li J, Yu C, Zhang C, Chen F, Chen J, et al. Knee osteoarthritis: Current status and research progress in treatment (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2023;26(4):481.

[7] Wijarnpreecha K, Aby ES, Panjawatanan P, Kroner PT, Harnois DM, Palmer WC, et al. Hereditary hemochromatosis and risk of joint replacement surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;33(1):96-101.

[8] Wang J, Zhou L, Zhang Y, Huang L, Shi Q. Mesenchymal stem cells - a promising strategy for treating knee osteoarthritis. Bone Joint Res. 2020;9(10):719-28.

[9] Huang J, Liu Q, Xia J, Chen X, Xiong J, Yang L, et al. Modification of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage-targeted therapy. J Transl Med. 2022;20(1):515.

[10] Pak J, Lee JH, Pak N, Pak Y, Park KS, Jeon JH, et al. Cartilage regeneration in humans with adipose tissue-derived stem cells and adipose stromal vascular fraction cells: Updated Status. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7).

[11] Buzaboon N, Alshammary S. Clinical applicability of adult human mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Stem Cells Cloning. 2020;13:117- 36.

[12] Carneiro DC, Araujo LT, Santos GC, Damasceno PKF, Vieira JL, Santos RRD, et al. Clinical trials with mesenchymal stem cell therapies for osteoarthritis: Challenges in the regeneration of articular cartilage. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(12).

[13] Fan XL, Zhang Y, Li X, Fu QL. Mechanisms underlying the protective effects of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(14):2771-94.

[14] Kot M, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Szatanek R, Musial-Wysocka A, Suda-Szczurek M, Majka M. The importance of HLA assessment in “Off-the-Shelf” allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells based-therapies. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(22).

[15] Huang R, Li W, Zhao Y, Yang F, Xu M. Clinical efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(11):e19434.

[16] Kumar A, Ghosh Kadamb A, Ghosh Kadamb K. Mesenchymal or maintenance stem cell & understanding their role in osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A review article. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2020;8(5):560-9