Stem-cell therapy

Stem-cell therapy uses stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition.[1] As of 2024, the only FDA-approved therapy using stem cells is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.[2][3] This usually takes the form of a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, but the cells can also be derived from umbilical cord blood. Research is underway to develop various sources for stem cells as well as to apply stem-cell treatments for neurodegenerative diseases[4] and conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Stem-cell therapy has become controversial following developments such as the ability of scientists to isolate and culture embryonic stem cells, to create stem cells using somatic cell nuclear transfer, and their use of techniques to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This controversy is often related to abortion politics and human cloning. Additionally, efforts to market treatments based on transplant of stored umbilical cord blood have been controversial.

  1. ^ Mahla RS (2016). "Stem cells application in regenerative medicine and disease threpeutics". International Journal of Cell Biology. 2016 (7): 1–24. doi:10.1155/2016/6940283. PMC 4969512. PMID 27516776.
  2. ^ Müller, Albrecht M.; Huppertz, Sascha; Henschler, Reinhard (July 2016). "Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Astray or on the Path?". Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy. 43 (4): 247–254. doi:10.1159/000447748. ISSN 1660-3796. PMC 5040947. PMID 27721700.
  3. ^ "Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes". FDA.gov. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ Lyon, Louisa (1 October 2018). "Stem cell therapies in neurology: the good, the bad and the unknown". Brain. 141 (10): e77. doi:10.1093/brain/awy221. ISSN 0006-8950. PMID 30202947.