Advances in cell-based therapy for peripheral vascular disease

Evidence is accumulating to support cell-based therapies as a new approach for chronic diseases. Perhaps the area of greatest impact, in terms of patient numbers, is cardiovascular disorders. This review considers cell transplantation as a potential treatment for peripheral vascular disease, including ischemic stroke and erectile dysfunction. Bone marrow derived cells are required for endogenous repair in adult individuals affected by angiopathies. Clinical trials using progenitor cells generated from monocytic or non-monocytic cells indicate that both are effective, suggesting that angiogenesis is the result of cross talk between different cells and pathways. Currently, there are 14 registered clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) examining different approaches to stem cell therapy to cure peripheral artery disease, of which 6 have completed enrollment. Here, we will review published clinical studies that used cell transplantation for peripheral vascular ischemic disorders.