Regenerative medicine in pain control: A review

Regenerative medicine offers a promising approach to the management of chronic pain, focusing on utilizing biological strategies to restore tissue function, repair damage, and modulate inflammatory processes. This review examines several key therapies, including mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and tissue engineering, and their potential in alleviating pain and promoting functional recovery. These regenerative therapies have shown efficacy in treating conditions such as osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathies, and musculoskeletal injuries, with substantial improvements in pain reduction and functional outcomes.

The therapeutic mechanisms underlying these treatments are diverse and include immunomodulation through the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β, which help restore a balanced immune response. Additionally, regenerative therapies stimulate angiogenesis through VEGF signaling and promote axonal regeneration via exosome-mediated pathways, offering long-term benefits for tissue repair.

Despite these promising advancements, several challenges remain that must be addressed to fully realize the potential of regenerative medicine. Variability in treatment protocols, including differences in cell sources, administration methods, and dosages, underscores the need for standardized approaches to maximize clinical efficacy. Moreover, the long-term safety and effectiveness of these therapies, particularly in terms of their durability and potential for side effects, require further investigation. As the field continues to evolve, these areas of uncertainty must be clarified to enable broader clinical implementation and improve outcomes for patients suffering from chronic pain.