Stem Cell Therapeutics for Radiation-Induced Skin Injuries

Radiation-induced skin injuries arise from therapeutic or accidental exposure to ionising radiation, leading to a cascade of cellular damage characterised by oxidative stress, persistent inflammation and disrupted regenerative processes. Conventional management remains largely supportive, with limited capacity to restore tissue architecture or prevent chronic ulceration. Stem cell therapeutics have emerged as a promising avenue to address these challenges. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in particular, exhibit multipotent differentiation potential alongside robust paracrine activity, secreting cytokines, growth factors and extracellular vesicles that modulate inflammation, promote neovascularisation and enhance re-epithelialisation. Recent strategies harness both cell-based and cell-free approaches, including the administration of adipose-derived MSCs, bone marrow-derived MSCs, conditioned media and exosome preparations. Preclinical models and early clinical case series have demonstrated accelerated wound closure, improved dermal matrix remodelling and attenuation of fibrotic scarring. Novel delivery modes—such as ultrasound-guided transplantation and biocompatible scaffolds—further optimise cell homing and survival. These advances suggest a paradigm shift towards personalised regenerative therapies that could significantly mitigate morbidity associated with radiation dermatitis and chronic radiation ulcers, with potential applications in oncology, emergency response and space medicine.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One investigation evaluated the combination of low-intensity ultrasound and allogeneic adipose-derived MSCs in a guinea pig model of 60 Gy skin irradiation. Pre-conditioning stem cells under an optimised mechanical index enhanced their homing to damaged dermis, promoted collagen architecture restoration and normalised tissue stiffness, as evidenced by Young’s modulus measurements. Treated subjects exhibited reduced epidermal necrosis and accelerated re-epithelialisation compared with controls, demonstrating that mechanical stimulation can potentiate the regenerative capacity of transplanted cells. This non-invasive enhancement strategy may inform future clinical protocols for graft retention and functional recovery in irradiated tissues.

Stem Cell Therapeutics for Radiation-Induced Skin Injuries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in stem cell therapeutics for radiation-induced skin injuries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): Multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiating into various lineages and secreting bioactive factors that support tissue repair.

Exosomes: Nano-sized extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, containing proteins, lipids and nucleic acids that mediate intercellular communication.

Oxidative stress: Cellular damage resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defences.

Pyroptosis: A form of programmed cell death associated with inflammation and characterised by cell swelling and membrane pore formation.

Re-epithelialisation: The process by which keratinocytes migrate and proliferate to restore an intact epidermal barrier over a wound.

References

1. ADSC-derived exosomes mitigate radiation-induced skin injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death. Frontiers in Public Health (2025).
2. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Mesenchymal Stem Cells of the Placenta and Their Conditioned Medium in Local Radiation Injuries. Cells (2020).
3. Will mesenchymal stem cells be future directions for treating radiation-induced skin injury?. Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2021).
4. Low-intensity ultrasound combined with allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) in radiation-induced skin injury treatment. Scientific Reports (2020).