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Review
. 2025 Apr 26;17(4):101891.
doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i4.101891.

Evaluating the efficacy of stem cells in treating severe dry eye disease

Lanxing Fu  1 , Lucia Pelosini  2 , Nick Kopsachilis  1 , Roberta Foti  3 , Fabiana D'Esposito  4   5 , Mutali Musa  6   7 , Alberto D'Amico  8 , Daniele Tognetto  9 , Caterina Gagliano  10   11 , Marco Zeppieri  9   12
Affiliations
Review

Evaluating the efficacy of stem cells in treating severe dry eye disease

Lanxing Fu et al. World J Stem Cells. .

Abstract

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder that disturbs ocular surface equilibrium, considerably diminishing quality of life. Present therapies only offer symptomatic alleviation. Stem cell treatment, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has surfaced as a viable approach for tissue regeneration and immunological regulation in DED. Preclinical and early clinical investigations indicate that MSCs can improve lacrimal gland functionality, diminish inflammation, and facilitate corneal regeneration. Nonetheless, obstacles persist in enhancing MSC viability, determining the optimal MSC source, and guaranteeing sustained therapeutic effectiveness. Additional extensive randomized clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy of MSC-based therapies for severe DED.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Cornea; Corneal regeneration; Dry eye disease; Exosome; Mesenchymal stem cells; Stem cell therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Vicious cycle of dry eye disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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