Ali M, Rahman MA, Haider KH. Integration of stem cell therapy and artificial intelligence: From promise to clinical reality. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(9): 118676 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.118676]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Khawaja Husnain Haider, PhD, Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University, PO Box 777, Al-Bukayriyah 51941, AlQaseem, Saudi Arabia. khhaider@gmail.com
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Cell & Tissue Engineering
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editorial
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Ali M, Rahman MA, Haider KH. Integration of stem cell therapy and artificial intelligence: From promise to clinical reality. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(9): 118676 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.118676]
World J Stem Cells. Sep 26, 2026; 18(9): 118676 Published online Sep 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.118676
Integration of stem cell therapy and artificial intelligence: From promise to clinical reality
Majid Ali, Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Khawaja Husnain Haider
Majid Ali, Khawaja Husnain Haider, Department of Basic Sciences, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University, Al-Bukayriyah 51941, AlQaseem, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest SA61 2PZ, United Kingdom
Co-first authors: Majid Ali and Mohammad Abdur Rahman.
Author contributions: Ali M and Rahman MA did the literature search, and contributed to the writing up of the primary manuscript, they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors; Haider KH conceptualized the idea, assigned tasks, wrote and finalized the manuscript, modified the paper per the journal’s requirements, and submitted it for publication and did the revision in response to the reviewers’ comments and resubmitted.
AI contribution statement: A subscribed (paid) version of Grammarly was used to improve the readability and English language polishing of this manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Khawaja Husnain Haider, PhD, Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University, PO Box 777, Al-Bukayriyah 51941, AlQaseem, Saudi Arabia. khhaider@gmail.com
Received: January 9, 2026 Revised: January 30, 2026 Accepted: March 5, 2026 Published online: September 26, 2026 Processing time: 259 Days and 0.9 Hours
Abstract
In the recent issue of World Journal of Stem Cells, a comprehensive analysis by Choudhery et al of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in stem cell-based therapy, emphasizing both the extraordinary potential and the critical challenges in the field’s development. With advances in AI and its use in medicine, a combinatorial approach to AI in stem cell-based therapy will shift it from traditional trial-and-error methods to data-driven, predictive systems that can analyze complex, multidimensional datasets. Recent advancements demonstrate that AI-controlled bioreactors can sustain consistent, industrial-scale stem cell production while maintaining therapeutic quality, as exemplified by systems such as deep learning-based automated cell-tracking technology that significantly reduces cell evaluation time. Data from clinical studies indicate that AI-optimized mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies, in which AI is used for cell isolation, culture, expansion, and quality control, as well as for patient selection, delivery method selection, follow-up assessment, and data interpretation, are safe and effective in achieving the desired outcome. Availability of Ryoncil, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy for graft-vs-host disease, reflects increasing regulatory confidence in stem cell-based therapies. Nevertheless, considerable challenges persist, including difficulties with algorithm validation, variability in data quality across laboratories, and potential algorithmic bias. A combinatorial approach integrating AI and stem cell-based therapy will substantially advance the development of standardized protocols that ensure greater efficacy and safety.
Core Tip: Over the past two and a half decades, despite remarkable advancements in cell-based therapy, inherent limitations have hampered its full potential as a clinical therapeutic modality. These limitations should be addressed to facilitate its routine application in clinical settings. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform medicine, the combinatorial approach of integrating AI into stem cell-based therapies offers an excellent opportunity to achieve the best of both worlds. This combinatorial approach promises to revolutionize stem cell research by shifting from traditional trial-and-error methodologies to sophisticated, data-driven predictive systems that analyze intricate, multidimensional datasets. These datasets encompass a wide array of biological information, including genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic data, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of treatment outcomes. Moving forward, integrating AI with stem cell-based therapy is expected to significantly improve multiple aspects while ensuring stringent safety standards and more reliable outcomes.
