BACKGROUND:Currently, inhaled glucocorticoid is still the classic treatment for asthma. Adult stem cell transplantation has made significant progress in a variety of diseases, and it also provides new insights into the treatment of asthma.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the recent advances in the treatment of asthma with adipose-derived stem cells and related adult stem cells, and to discuss the therapeutic safety of adipose-derived stem cells and possible research directions in asthma therapy.METHODS:Relevant articles published from 2001 to 2016 were searched in PubMed, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. The keywords were (adipose-derived stem cells[All Fields]) OR (adipose stem cells[All Fields]) OR (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells[All Fields]) AND (asthma[All Fields]) in English and Chinese, respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 125 literatures were initially searched, and finally 54 representative papers were selected. Adipose-derived stem cells may reduce airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, ease collagen deposition and scar tissue formation, promote neovascularization, and reconstruct damaged airways in the mouse asthma model through immune regulation. It is necessary to understand its treatment mechanism of action deeply and comprehensively and carry out genomic analysis before introduction of adipose-derived stem cells as a conventional clinical treatment. In summary, adipose-derived stem cells may be a therapeutic potential for the treatment of airway allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma.