New Podcast Episode. Therapeutic Strategy for COVID-19-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by COVID-19 was a leading cause of severe illness and death during the pandemic, driven by an intense innate immune response, hyperinflammation, and a decrease in lymphocytes. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a potential therapeutic option for ARDS due to their ability to modulate the immune system and inflammation. Our guests report results from a Health Canada–regulated Phase I and Phase II trials evaluating freshly cultured umbilical cord–derived MSCs in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS, including assessments of safety, maximum feasible tolerated dose, and preliminary efficacy. Their work explores a therapeutic strategy to improve ARDS outcomes using MSCs, which will be important for optimizing and targeting future cellular therapies.

Guests

• Duncan Stewart, MD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa, Canada

• Elmira Safaie Qamsari, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada

Supporting Content: Cellular immunotherapy for COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: Results of the CIRCA-19 phase 1 safety and phase 2 randomized controlled trials, Stem Cell Reports