**8. Conclusion**

This review demonstrates progress but also substantial weaknesses which still exist in our understanding of MSC-based cellular tendon therapy and the MSC mechanisms of action in tendon healing. Therefore, considering the low level of clinical evidence, at the moment, MSC-based treatment of tendinopathy appears only justified in the framework of clinical studies. Otherwise, although clinical translation appears temptingly close, it may be wiser to slow down the pace and focus on research into MSC mechanisms in relevant disease models to eventually be able to coax the MSCs toward targeted tendon regeneration.
