Cell therapy strategies for COVID-19: Current approaches and potential applications

Zaki, Mark M.; Lesha, Emal; Said, Khaled; Kiaee, Kiavash; Robinson-McCarthy, Lindsey; George, Haydy; Hanna, Angy; Appleton, Evan; Liu, Songlei; Ng, Alex H. M.; Khoshakhlagh, Parastoo; Church, George M.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to burden society worldwide. Despite most patients having a mild course, severe presentations have limited treatment options. COVID-19 manifestations extend beyond the lungs and may affect the cardiovascular, nervous, and other organ systems. Current treatments are nonspecific and do not address potential long-term consequences such as pulmonary fibrosis, demyelination, and ischemic organ damage. Cell therapies offer great potential in treating severe COVID-19 presentations due to their customizability and regenerative function. This review summarizes COVID-19 pathogenesis, respective areas where cell therapies have potential, and the ongoing 89 cell therapy trials in COVID-19 as of 1 January 2021.