©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2025; 31(39): 112229
Published online Oct 21, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i39.112229
Published online Oct 21, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i39.112229
Stem cell- and extracellular vesicle-based therapies for perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease: An updated review
Payal Bhatnagar, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Sherreen Elhariri, Ismail A S Burud, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Clinical Campus, IMU University, Seremban 70300, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Nabil Eid, Department of Human Biology, Anatomy Division, School of Medicine, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Author contributions: Bhatnagar P wrote the manuscript; Elhariri S and Burud IAS revised and edited the manuscript; Eid N wrote, edited, and approved the final draft of the manuscript; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Nabil Eid, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Biology, Anatomy Division, School of Medicine, IMU University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia. nabilsaleheid@imu.edu.my
Received: July 22, 2025
Revised: August 3, 2025
Accepted: September 15, 2025
Published online: October 21, 2025
Processing time: 92 Days and 2.8 Hours
Revised: August 3, 2025
Accepted: September 15, 2025
Published online: October 21, 2025
Processing time: 92 Days and 2.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) is a severe complication of CD, characterized by the accumulation of inflammatory cells and elevated cytokine production. Although various medical and surgical approaches aim to control this disease, recurrence remains a major challenge. Both animal models and clinical trials have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) can reduce inflammation and promote healing in refractory PFCD effects that may be further enhanced by autophagy activation. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of MSCs and their EVs in PFCD treatment and explores the supportive role of autophagy in enhancing their efficacy.