Adipose tissue-derived stem cells in breast reconstruction: a brief review on biology and translation

Recent developments in adipose-derived stromal/stem cell (ADSC) biology provide new hopes for tissue engineering and regeneration medicine. Due to their pluripotent activity, paracrine activity, and immunomodulatory function, ADSCs have been widely administrated and exhibited significant therapeutic effects in the treatment for autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic conditions both in animals and human clinical trials. Cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) based on ADSCs has emerged as a promising cell therapy technology and significantly improved the fat graft retention. Initially applied for cosmetic breast and facial enhancement, CAL has found a potential use for breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients. However, more challenges emerge related to CAL including lack of a standardized surgical procedure, the controversy in the effectiveness of CAL, and the potential oncogenic risk of ADSCs in cancer patients. In this review, we summarized the latest research and intended to give an outline involving the biological characteristics of ADSCs as well as the preclinical and clinical application of ADSCs.

Automated summary

Recent advances in ADSC biology offer new prospects in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. ADSCs, with their pluripotent activity, paracrine activity, and immunomodulatory function, have shown promising therapeutic effects in treating autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic conditions. CAL based on ADSCs has improved fat graft retention and holds potential for breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients, despite facing challenges such as lack of standardized procedures and controversy over effectiveness.