Cytotherapy of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a mini review

Abstract

The pathogenesis and aetiology of nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head has not been revealed completely. However, with advances in stem cell research and regenerative medicine, it is believed that the onset of osteonecrosis of the femoral head probably has a cellular origin, and the possible therapy of osteonecrosis of the femoral head based on cytotherapy has great potential. In this review, the aetiology of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, animal experiments and clinical applications of cytotherapy are summarized and analysed. Current problems and future challenges are discussed.

Effect of pentoxifylline on histopathological changes in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head: experimental study in chicken

“…Studies have been performed on humans for ONFH using various drug and treatment methods [34][35][36][37][38][39]. There have also been various steroid-induced ONFH experiments performed on animal models [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][40][41][42][43][44].…”

Transplantation of hypoxia preconditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells enhances angiogenesis and osteogenesis in rabbit femoral head osteonecrosis

“…Both animal and clinical studies have provided evidence that BMMSC transplantation has potency in the treatment of ischemic diseases, such as myocardial infarction and ONFH [5,6]. A major limitation in stem cell therapy for ischemic diseases is the low survival rate of transplanted cells in the ischemic and peri-necrosis region [7].…”

The use of an injectable calcium sulphate/calcium phosphate bioceramic in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head

“…As a further step of this technique, since the bioceramic mainly addresses the mechanical properties of the femoral head, to enhance the biological environment of the necrotic area we completed the procedure with an injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate, that was intended to provide osteoinductive properties for bone healing and bone regeneration [11,15,26].…”

“…Multiple adjuncts to core decompression, such as vascularised and non vascularised fibular and other structural bone grafts, non structural grafts, demineralised bone matrix, bone marrow concentrate, bone morphogenetic proteins, and porous tantalum implants, have been developed to accelerate the healing process in addition to providing, in some cases, a structural support [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”