Basics and clinical application of human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells

Human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) show a variety of biological characteristics. The clinical trials database provided by the National Institutes of Health, USA, contains about 400 clinical trials of MSCs for a wide range of therapeutic applications internationally (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, key words "mesenchymal stem cells", as of April, 2015). Encouraging results from these clinical trials include evidence of efficacy against graft versus host disease (GVHD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Treatment for and/or prevention of engraftment failure and insufficient hematopoietic recovery have also been explored. Herein, we will address the basic principles of MSCs and the current status of clinical studies using MSCs. Future prospects for MSC-based therapy will also be discussed.