Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the remarkable ability to develop into many different specialized cell types in the body, and to divide to produce more stem cells. This dual capacity — self-renewal and differentiation — makes stem cells fundamentally important for growth, tissue repair, and regeneration throughout life. They serve as the body's internal repair system, replenishing damaged or dying cells in tissues ranging from blood and bone to skin and the intestinal lining.

Stem cells exist in several categories based on their differentiation potential. Embryonic stem cells (from early-stage embryos) are pluripotent — capable of becoming virtually any cell type in the body. Adult stem cells (found in bone marrow, blood, fat, skin, and other tissues) are more limited, typically producing cell types related to their tissue of origin. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that have been reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells — a breakthrough that earned Shinya Yamanaka the Nobel Prize in 2012.

Stem cell research and therapy represent one of the most promising — and most overhyped — frontiers in modern medicine. Established stem cell treatments include bone marrow transplantation for blood cancers and severe blood disorders, and skin grafts grown from stem cells for burn patients. Experimental therapies are being investigated for Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, diabetes, and many other conditions. However, many unproven stem cell clinics market treatments that are not FDA-approved and may carry significant risks.

If you're considering stem cell therapy for a medical condition, it's critical to distinguish between established treatments and unproven therapies. Currently, the only well-established stem cell therapies are bone marrow transplant for blood disorders and certain skin applications. Many other stem cell treatments are still experimental and should only be pursued through legitimate clinical trials.

The FDA has taken action against clinics marketing unapproved stem cell treatments, which can cause serious complications including infections, tumor formation, and immune reactions. If a stem cell treatment is offered outside of a clinical trial for a condition other than blood disorders, exercise extreme caution and consult with an academic medical center.