Progress in stem cell therapy for the diabetic foot.

The diabetic foot is a common and severe complication of diabetes comprising a group of lesions including vasculopathy, neuropathy, tissue damage and infection. Vasculopathy due to ischemia is a major contributor to the pathogenesis, natural history and outcome of the diabetic foot. Despite conventional revascularization interventions including angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy and bypass grafts to vessels, a high incidence of amputation persists. The need to develop alternative therapeutic options is compelling; stem cell therapy aims to increase revascularization and alleviate limb ischemia or improve wound healing by stimulating new blood vessel formation, and brings new hope for the treatment of the diabetic foot.