Therapeutic Strategy for COVID-19-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by COVID-19 was a leading cause of severe illness and death during the pandemic, driven by an intense innate immune response, hyperinflammation, and a decrease in lymphocytes. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a potential therapeutic option for ARDS due to their ability to modulate the immune system and inflammation. Our guests report results from a Health Canada–regulated Phase I and Phase II trials evaluating freshly cultured umbilical cord–derived MSCs in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS, including assessments of safety, maximum feasible tolerated dose, and preliminary efficacy. Their work explores a therapeutic strategy to improve ARDS outcomes using MSCs, which will be important for optimizing and targeting future cellular therapies. **Guest** Duncan Stewart, MD, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa, Canada Elmira Safaie Qamsari, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada **Host** Janet Rossant, Editor-in-Chief, *Stem Cell Reports* and The Gairdner Foundation **Supporting Documents** **Paper link:** Cellular immunotherapy for COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome: Results of the CIRCA-19 phase 1 safety and phase 2 randomized controlled trials  **About** *Stem Cell Reports* **Stem Cell Reports** is the open access, peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) for communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. *Stem Cell Reports* focuses on original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. X: @StemCellReports **About** ISSCR Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine. ISSCR Staff Keith Alm, Shuangshuang Du, Kym Kilbourne, Megan Koch, Jack Mosher, and Hunter Reed