Progress and Prospects of Stem Cells in Treatment of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of illness and death. The worldwide epidemic of HIV/AIDS and emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB, are exacerbating this global public health issue. In this situation, several innovative approaches are being pursued to further improve the existing measures, as well as to identify new one. Recently, stem cell transplantation has emerged as a novel therapeutic option which holds promises for the treatment of many non-infectious and infectious diseases. Recent advances and experimental studies attracted the interest of researchers for exploring the stem cellbased treatment as a candidate treatment option for drug resistant tuberculosis. To date little has been published concerning the short and long term therapeutic effect of any type of stem cells in patients suffering from drug resistant tuberculosis. The purpose of this review is to present the viewpoints on current status and future prospect of this novel treatment approach in severe form of TB and also to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with this approach.