Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Treating Steroid-Resistant Acute and Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease: A Multicenter Compassionate Use Experience.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a severe complication after allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT). Several clinical trials have reported the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for the treatment of GVHD. In March 2008, the Andalusian Health Care System launched a compassionate use program to treat steroid-resistant GVHD with MSC.

Looking backward to move forward: a meta-analysis of stem cell therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Transplantation of several types of stem cells (SC) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been evaluated in numerous Phase I/II clinical trials with inconclusive results. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to systematically assess the outcome of SC therapy trials which report the evolution of each patient before and after cell administration. In this way, we aimed to determine the effect of the SC intervention despite individual heterogeneity in disease progression.

The Major Pre- and Postmenopausal Estrogens Play Opposing Roles in Obesity-Driven Mammary Inflammation and Breast Cancer Development.

Many inflammation-associated diseases, including cancers, increase in women after menopause and with obesity. In contrast to anti-inflammatory actions of 17β-estradiol, we find estrone, which dominates after menopause, is pro-inflammatory. In human mammary adipocytes, cytokine expression increases with obesity, menopause, and cancer.

Mesenchymal stromal cells for the prophylaxis and treatment of graft-versus-host disease-a meta-analysis.

Background: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is the main life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thirty to 80% of GvHD patients do not respond to first-line treatment and a second-line treatment is not universally established. Based on their immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been proposed for the prevention and the treatment of GvHD in patients undergoing HSCT.

Chimeras for the twenty-first century.

Recent advances in stem cell biology and molecular engineering have improved and simplified the methodology employed to create experimental chimeras, highlighting their value in basic research and broadening the spectrum of potential applications. Experimental chimeras have been used for decades during the generation of murine genetic models, this being especially relevant in developmental and regeneration studies. Indeed, their value for the research and modeling of human diseases was recognized by the 2007 Nobel Prize to Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans, and Oliver Smithies.