An Overview and Potential of Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell research has been widely investigated globally to enhance human health in a medical setting. For this, creating public awareness about stem cell research is vital for realizing this potential. The stem cell's main role is to replace dying cells and reconstruct damaged tissues. Based on the extensive stem cell research results, many scientists have claimed that the cells could probably generate cures and treatment for various diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular disease, and others. Newly developed stem cell therapies having the capability to replace disease, causing cells.
Hence, patients now started relying on stem cell therapy that has long term positive outcomes. There is an increasing number of potential treatments that are undergoing in clinical trials phase. The FDA has approved very few stem cell therapies. For instance, in 2019, Fedratinib, approved by the FDA for the first-line treatment for myelofibrosis. Bone marrow transplantation is widely used stem cell based therapy. Blood forming stem cells were the first to be used in the clinic. This stem cell therapy has benefited thousands of patients who have leukemia.
Stem cells are preliminary body cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under controlled environment in the body or a clinical laboratory, these cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells. Due to the advent of modern health science, these cells play a major role in understanding the occurrence of diseases, generation of advanced regenerative medicines, and drug discovery. There are certain sources such as embryo, bone marrow, body fats, and umbilical cord blood amongst others, where stem cells are generated.
Researchers are further investigating stem cell therapy in autoimmune disorder. Other adult stem cells based treatments are under clinical trials. Hematopoietic stem cells are currently used for treating more than 80 medical diseases, which include diseases of the immune system, blood disorders, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders, and several types of cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, etc.
Leading companies operating in the stem cell therapy industry are Medipost, pharmicell Co., Ltd., HolostemTerapieAvanzate S.R.L., Mesoblast Ltd., U.S. Stem Cell, Inc., Biotime, Inc., RichSource, Caladrius, TiGenix NV (Takeda Pharmaceuticals), and GeneaBiocellsamong others.