Cell-free therapy over stem cell transplants to tackle signs of skin aging

23 Nov 2023 --- A new advancement in regenerative medicine spotlights “cell-free therapy,” an alternative technique to conventional stem cell transplants. Instead of relying on minimally invasive injections of stem cells themselves, the method utilizes natural components produced by these cells. 

A recent review in the journal Dovepress published by the Colombian regenerative medicine clinic Stemwell highlights drawbacks to conventional cell transplants in the skin, based on documented research. The minimally invasive treatment carries the risk of negative side effects like host immune reactions.

Cell-free therapies, on the other hand, are seen as a promising alternative.

“Scientists have long investigated mesenchymal stem cells found in various tissues, exploring their potential for tissue repair and regeneration. However, concerns about potential risks like inflammation and tumorigenicity have persisted,” flag the report authors.

“The skin is a vital organ as the body’s largest barrier, but its function declines with aging. Therefore, research into effective regeneration treatments must continue to advance.”

Cell-free therapy can be combined with other skin-resurfacing technologies to achieve the desired skin rejuvenation benefits.Activating bodily repair functions
While various substances like antioxidants, herbs, botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid have been explored for their anti-aging properties, Stemwell says limitations such as standardization issues and side effects prompted the search for newer, more effective treatments.

Stemwell’s review of cell-free therapy looked at the process of utilizing two secreted products of stem cells — secretomes and extracellular vesicles — rather than the cells themselves, to trigger the body’s own repair mechanisms. These substances contain powerful elements like cytokines and growth factors that help cells communicate and prevent skin aging through multiple pathways.

The study compared secretomes and extracellular vesicles, highlighting their roles in preventing skin aging by regulating regenerative pathways, managing oxidative stress, maintaining the skin’s structure, controlling cell activity and reducing inflammation. Clinical trials also supported these findings, showing improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, pores and pigmentation.

Unlike traditional stem cell treatments — which rely on skin injections of stem cells and growth factors obtained from umbilical cord, bone marrow and adipose tissue — cell-free therapy offers considerable advantages, including reduced risks of tumorigenicity and pathogen transmission.

“Studies conducted by Kim et al. and Jihee et al have demonstrated that topical application of cell-free therapy over three to four weeks resulted in improvements in skin aging signs and erythema, with no reports of severe adverse effects,” note the researchers.

“The improvement in erythema may be associated with the regulation of inflammatory cytokines. An in vitro study conducted by Wu Pei et al demonstrated that cell-free therapy can downregulate the expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which may be linked to the improvement of erythema.”

The report authors add that cell-free therapy’s advantages also include the ease of storage and transportation.

“Secretomes have several advantages over stem cells because their medium can be manufactured and transported more easily, so it is appropriate for emergencies because it can be prepared in large quantities to save cost and time while still being available for treatment when needed,” they detail.

Extracellular vesicles, on the other hand, are recognized for their potential to treat a wide range of skin conditions, including infection, inflammatory skin disease, scarring, alopecia, pigmentation, skin rejuvenation and skin cancer.

Synergies with other treatments
Aside from topical application, Stemwell’s analysis finds cell-free therapy may be combined with other skin-resurfacing technologies, such as micro-needling and laser treatments, to achieve the desired skin rejuvenation benefits with considerable impact.

Compared to stem cell transplants, cell-free therapy reduces the risk of factors such as tumorigenicity, immune system rejection and and pathogen transmission.“The increased efficacy is due to the capacity of micro-needling and laser treatments to improve cell-free therapy penetration into the skin, allowing it to optimize its effects,” note the researchers.

“Knowing that skin aging can result in psychological stress, this combination of topical cell-free therapy and skin resurfacing modalities is probably preferable because of the significant outcomes.”

A systematic review study by Ting Jung Lin et al, based on clinical trials published from 2014 to 2020, confirmed that the combination of micro-needling or laser therapy with topical cell-free therapy “significantly improved” skin aging symptoms, including reduced wrinkles, pigmentation and pores.

“Furthermore, recent studies published from 2020–2023 also provide similar clinical evidence for using CM-stem cells in skin aging,” note the Stemwell report authors. “These studies indicate that the clinical use of cell-free therapy can be considered relatively safe.”

“Mild side effects, such as redness, edema, petechiae and pain, may occur, although they are most likely a result of the resurfacing procedures, which may be expected.”

In other coverage of anti-aging advancements, cosmetics supplier Mibelle Biochemistry recently unveiled RejuveNAD, a solution for stabilizing NAD+, a pivotal molecule in various cellular processes, based on sunflower sprouts.

Earlier this month, biomedicine specialist Element Eight secured US$6 million funding for its cell oxygenating technology that mimics hemoglobin when applied to the skin.

By Benjamin Ferrer