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A recent pilot study in China in which seven COVID-19 patients received intravenous infusions of donor mesenchymal stem cells—multipotent cells thought to have immunomodulatory capacities—indicates that the intervention was safe, and that the approach may improve patient outcomes. While all seven patients recovered, scientists are mixed in their opinions on the logic behind the approach and how well it truly performed.
On Sunday (April 5) the US Food and Drug Administraton approved mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatments for use in the very sickest COVID-19 patients under what’s known as expanded access compassionate use.
“The rationale for [the China] study is not clear [and] the results are . . . inconclusive in terms of how effective it is,” says developmental biologist and stem cell researcher Christine Mummery of Leiden University, who has no conflicts of interest to declare. “One should view it with a certain amount of ...
