Mokhtari YG, Varnava I, Kyrgiannis K, Ampatsidou V, Giakoumettis D. Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease: A new hope for neural regeneration. World J Biol Chem 2025; 16(2): 106850 [DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v16.i2.106850]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dimitrios Giakoumettis, Consultant, MD, PhD, Post Doctoral Researcher, Department of Neurosurgery, Agios Savvas, General Anticancer Oncological Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, Athens 11522, Attikí, Greece. dgiakoumettis@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Neurosciences
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Yasmin Garkani Mokhtari, Irene Varnava, Department of Medicine, Basic Biomedical Sciences, Specialization in Stem Cells, Gene-Cell Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Ipeiros, Greece
Kosmas Kyrgiannis, Vasiliki Ampatsidou, Dimitrios Giakoumettis, Department of Neurosurgery, Agios Savvas, General Anticancer Oncological Hospital, Athens 11522, Attikí, Greece
Dimitrios Giakoumettis, Department of Neurosurgery, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, Alexandroupoli 69100, Anatolikí Makedonía kai Thráki, Greece
Author contributions: Mokhtari YG, Varnava I, Kyrgiannis K, Ampatsidou V, and Giakoumettis D contributed to preparing and editing the article; Mokhtari YG, Varnava I, Kyrgiannis K, Ampatsidou V, and Giakoumettis D contributed to conceptualizing the article; All authors participated equally in the preparation of the manuscript and read and approved the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no competing financial interests or personal relationships that could influence the work presented in this manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Dimitrios Giakoumettis, Consultant, MD, PhD, Post Doctoral Researcher, Department of Neurosurgery, Agios Savvas, General Anticancer Oncological Hospital, 171 Alexandras Avenue, Athens 11522, Attikí, Greece. dgiakoumettis@gmail.com
Received: March 9, 2025 Revised: March 31, 2025 Accepted: April 9, 2025 Published online: June 5, 2025 Processing time: 82 Days and 9.8 Hours
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra that leads to reduced dopamine levels and impaired motor function. Current treatments only provide temporary symptom relief without addressing the underlying neuronal loss. A promising new approach for treating PD is stem cell therapy, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells and human pluripotent stem cells. They have the ability to differentiate into various neural cells, offering potential for neuronal replacement and restoration of brain function. Induced pluripotent stem cells are derived from reprogramming adult cells and present advantages such as genetic compatibility and reduced immune rejection, overcoming ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells. Preclinical studies show promising results, demonstrating that stem cells can differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and improve motor function in animal models. These advancements pave the way for clinical trials and potential long-term solutions for patients with PD. This review highlighted the significance of stem cell therapy in neuroregeneration and addressed preclinical successes, challenges in long-term safety, and ethical considerations, with the hope of revolutionizing PD treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Core Tip: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. Currently, there is no treatment for PD, while stem cell therapy represents a new therapeutic approach to restore lost neural function. This manuscript focused on the potential of stem cell therapy, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells and human pluripotent stem cells, in treating PD, offering potential for neuronal replacement and restoration of brain function. Induced pluripotent stem cells are derived from reprogramming adult cells, which are genetically compatible and cause reduced immune rejection, overcoming ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells.
