CELL THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF DEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Abstract

Cell therapy has emerged as a promising alternative in the treatment of degenerative diseases, with the aim of restoring or replacing damaged cells and improving the function of affected organs. This study reviewed the application of cell therapy in conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoarthritis, based on studies published between 2016 and 2024. The review was carried out in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases, using specific descriptors and combining keywords such as "cell therapy", "stem cells", "neurodegenerative diseases", "cardiovascular diseases" and "osteoarthritis". The results indicate that cell therapy has demonstrated significant efficacy, especially in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and heart failure, with improvement in clinical outcomes, including the regeneration of damaged tissues, increased motor function and reduced progression of symptoms. In addition, cell therapy has shown benefits in cartilage regeneration in patients with osteoarthritis, providing a less invasive alternative to traditional approaches. However, challenges such as the safety of therapies, the immunogenicity of implanted cells, and variability in patient responses still limit their wide and effective application. This review discusses the main cell therapy approaches, the benefits observed, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome for this technology to become a viable and safe therapeutic solution in the treatment of degenerative diseases.