Stem-cell therapy

Stem-cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition. The most well-known type of stem cell therapy is bone marrow transplant, but some therapies derived from umbilical cord blood are also in use.

History

Stem-cell therapy has been in use since the late 20th century. The first successful bone marrow transplant was performed in 1968, and since then, stem-cell therapy has been used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell disease.

Types of Stem Cells

There are several types of stem cells that can be used in therapy, including:

• Embryonic stem cells: These are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that have been fertilized in vitro and then donated for research purposes.

• Adult stem cells: These are found in small numbers in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat.

• Induced pluripotent stem cells: These are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell–like state.

Applications

Stem-cell therapy has been used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including:

• Blood disorders: Stem cells have been used to treat diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma.

• Neurodegenerative diseases: Research is ongoing into the use of stem cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and ALS.

• Spinal cord injuries: Stem cells have been used to promote repair and regeneration of the spinal cord after injury.

Risks and Controversies

Like all medical treatments, stem-cell therapy carries risks, including the risk of rejection if the stem cells are not a good match for the patient. There are also ethical controversies surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells.

See Also

• Regenerative medicine
• Cell therapy
• Gene therapy

References

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