POTENTIAL OF UMBILICAL CORD MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL (UC-MSC) IN THERAPY OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Even RA usually found in elderly patients, however, it is possible to occur at a young age, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), the most common type of arthritis in children and adolescents. Unfortunately, common conventional therapies given to patients with RA to modulate the immune response, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), found have limitation therapeutic effects in RA patients. Long-term use of these drugs will cause side effects and resistance to therapy. In recent years mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are highly recommended therapy. The therapy considered promising for curative action in RA patient due to potential as immunomodulators that MSCs can differentiate into various cell types and stimulate tissue repair. These cells also have strong chemotactic abilities because they can migrate to damaged tissues and act as an anti-inflammatory. Therefore, MSC potentially suitable for autoimmune therapy. In addition, many research evidences in clinical trials stating that there are no toxicity and side effects in the long term. One type of MSC based on its tissue source is umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell which is believed to be the best among other types. This review discusses a UC-MSC-based therapeutic approach in children, adults, and the elderly focusing based on published clinical data and clinical trials for the treatment of RA that are currently ongoing.