Cellular therapies and stem cell applications in trauma

Background: As the leading cause of mortality in the United States, trauma management have improved drastically over the past few decades with improved resuscitation and hemorrhage control. Stem cells are being used in an attempt to augment healing from trauma. Data sources: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for published and registered pre-clinical and clinical trials for the application of stem cells to AKI, ARDS, shock, infection, TBI, wound healing, and bone healing. Conclusions: Stem cell therapy for augmentation of healing traumatic injuries appears safe, as demonstrated by completed phase I/II trials. Further large scale studies are needed to assess the clinical efficacy.