Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis – A Review

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, that affects the bone joints, muscles and connective tissue. Approximately over 5 people for every 1000 were affecting worldwide with the age of above 55 years. The disease is most common in female than in male. However, the exact pathogenesis of disease is still unclear (1).  The disease onset phase is known as pre – RA phase, which lasts for years before discovering the clinical symptoms. The presence of auto-antibodies, inflammatory cytokines and altered cell metabolism were known to circulate at the early stages of infection, the chronic inflammation is characterized with severe pain in joints that changes the patient’s quality of life. The insufficient care may eventually cause joint erosion, deformities, and destruction. Over 50% of RA patients had led to disabilities and moreover had a higher risk of dying. It is essential to know the better understanding of disease pathogenesis, advancements in the treatment of RA and the effectiveness in the patient’s quality of life (1).

Currently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used frequently as they have anti-inflammatory activity, reduction in pain and moreover reduces the symptoms, although these drugs reduce the inflammatory action, they also develop severe side effects and high costs (2).