Pros and cons of using autologous versus allogenic stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Intraarticular treatment of osteoarthritis with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has shown promising results and is being increasingly implemented in the clinic. Autologous MSCs are the primary source of therapy but issues related to cell expansion, patient age, and acute therapies have opened a need for allogenic MSCs. Problematic immunological reactions such as pain, joint swelling, urticarial, and MSC destruction are, however, reported when using allogenic MSCs at the first to second treatment. Multiple factors need to be considered when deciding on autologous or allogenic MSC treatment, as argued in this review.