Cell Therapy—a Basic Science Primer for the Sports Medicine Clinician

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The emergence of cell-based therapies has brought much excitement to the field of orthopedic sports medicine. However, the significant inconsistency of reporting has led to the poor understanding, misinformation, and false expectations for patients and clinicians alike. In this paper, we aim to clarify the available cell-therapy treatments and summarize some of the latest research. Recent Findings: Although this technology is in early development, our understanding of cell biology has grown significantly over the last decade. Furthermore, it is becoming evident that tissue specificity may play a significant role in determining the effectiveness and overall clinical benefit attributed to cell therapy. Summary: Cell therapy is an emerging field with tremendous potential for clinically significant benefit. However, in its current state, clinical application of these treatments is limited by federal regulations, variability in formulation, and limited understanding of the biologic activity of various cell formulations.