A recent study suggests that employing cell therapy as a treatment for COVID-19 can significantly reduce the risk of death from the disease by 60%. This comprehensive analysis, encompassing 195 clinical trials conducted across 30 countries from January 2020 to December 2021, along with 26 trials whose outcomes were published by July 2022, was carried out by researchers from the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil, in collaboration with colleagues from Germany and the United States. The study’s findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.
Cell therapy explored in numerous clinical trials for Covid treatment
Cell therapy, a rapidly advancing field, has been utilized to address various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, heart diseases, and infectious diseases. During the pandemic, it has been explored in numerous clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19.
Professor Otavio Cabral-Marques from USP’s Medical School, one of the study’s authors, highlighted the significance of this research, stating, “Our study is the first to systematically review the global experiences with cell therapy for COVID-19 and related complications, providing valuable insights through meta-analysis.”
Cell therapy involves the use of stem cells and their derivatives, which can be obtained either from the patient (autologous) or from a donor (allogenic). These cells are cultured or modified in a laboratory setting before being administered to the patient.
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The most frequently utilized cell type in clinical trials during the specified period was multipotent mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells from connective tissue.
Despite the promising findings regarding cell therapy, the authors emphasized that the ultimate protection against COVID-19 remains vaccination.