Looking Beyond PRP, Exosomes, and Stem Cells

Background

The history of stem cells in dermatology is marked by significant discoveries and advancements. Stem cells, which possess the ability to differentiate into various cell types and self-renew, have played crucial roles in maintaining tissue integrity and facilitating wound healing. PRP has additionally emerged as a potent therapeutic agent with widespread applications due to its regenerative properties driven by platelets, and various growth factors. The newest addition to the regenerative medicine toolbox has been exosomes and extracellular vesicles containing biomolecules, offering a minimally invasive approach through non-cell therapy. These vesicles impact crucial cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.

Aim

We aim to provide a comprehensive review on the history and future implications of stem cells, PRP, and exosomes in the fields of regenerative medicine and dermatology. This paper highlights the importance of ongoing research and development in optimizing these therapies for clinical applications, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on PubMed reviewing stem cells, PRP, MeSH, and exosomes and their application in the field of dermatology.

Results

The use of stem cells, PRP, and exosomes suggests the great advancements that we have made in regenerative medicine. The tight regulation of stem cells and their byproducts has halted further application of these novel modalities and suggested a need for further research and studies. Although this has slowed down the process of using these powerful tools, we are still continuing to understand the functions and implications of stem cells and their byproducts. With a new emphasis on non-cell therapy through exosomes and PRP, we are still able to apply these methods to ameliorate chronic dermatological diseases such as chronic wounds, scarring, androgenetic alopecia (ANA), and aesthetics.

Conclusions

Although the field of regenerative medicine is looking promising with its various novel additions, there is still work that needs to be done such as regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and the need for standardization of isolation, storage, dosage, and application.