einstein (São Paulo). 25/Aug/2020;18:eCE5802.

Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of coronavirus-induced pneumonia (COVID-19)

Angela

Mazzeo

, Enrico Jardim Clemente

Santos

DOI: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2020CE5802

Dear Editor,

Stem cell therapy has been investigated by a number of basic, pre-clinical and clinical studies, and these studies have proved that stem cells are safe and effective in the treatment of many medical conditions and diseases.^(-) A study including 10 patients with confirmed diagnosis for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and pneumonia due to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), reported significant improvement in symptoms of all patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with no adverse effects. Of these patients, 7 were treated with intravenous concentration of 1×10⁶ cells per kilogram of body weight and 3 were treated with placebo. Patients were followed-up for 14 days. Results observed included a significant reduction of chest infiltration, reduction of proinflammatory cytocines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and an increase of peripheral lymphocytes rate with phenotype recovering of CD4⁺ T cell count and dendritic. In addition, an increase was observed of anti-inflammatory gene expression and trophic factors.⁽⁾ Although further studies including more patients are warranted, data published in the literature so far suggest that MSCs is safe and effective for treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.⁽⁾

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