Stem cell therapy: a promising frontier in modern medicine with a comprehensive overview of their biology and potential therapeutic applications in chronic non-healing cutaneous injuries.

Abstract

Chronic wounds represent significant challenges to the healthcare system. Their incidence increases with increase in age, especially in individuals suffering from chronic disorders like diabetes. The process of wound healing consists of a series of coordinated biological events triggered by tissue damage, ultimately leading to the repair and restoration of damaged tissues. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are employed for the management of chronic wounds. The clinical application of traditional therapeutic modalities for managing chronic wounds is limited due to the associated adverse effects, like antimicrobial resistance, pressure lesions, ear and nose barotrauma, and convulsions. Recent advancements in stem cell therapy hold promise for the management of chronic wounds. These are the undifferentiated cells of the human body with the capability of self-renewal. These cells migrate to the wounded site and transform into the required type of cell to repair the tissues. The use of autologous stem cells decreases the risk of immune rejection and infections. These cells do not carry the risk of transmitting contagious diseases from the donor. Various types of stem cells have been investigated in the management of chronic wounds using diverse modes. These cells can be administered topically on the wounded site or through various matrices, such as hydrogels, scaffolds, extracellular matrix derivatives, and dermal substitutes. These cells promote the healing process by acting directly or indirectly on various pathogenic targets in chronic wounds. This review aims to explore the potential of stem cells in chronic wound management, including diabetic foot ulcers, burn ulcers, pressure ulcers, inherited epidermolysis bullosa, and venous leg ulcers. This review also highlights the molecular and cellular pathways involved in wound healing discussed in this review. Moreover, various pre-clinical and clinical studies exploring the use of stem cells in chronic wounds are also reviewed. In sum, the current review weighs the limitations associated with traditional therapies and the merits of the potential application of stem cells in chronic wound management.