Stem Cell Therapies in Clinical Trials: Progress and Challenges

Clinical investigations using stem cell products in regenerative medicine are addressing a wide spectrum of conditions using a variety of stem cell types. To date, there have been few reports of safety issues arising from autologous or allogeneic transplants. Many cells administered show transient presence for a few days with trophic influences on immune or inflammatory responses. Limbal stem cells have been registered as a product for eye burns in Europe and mesenchymal stem cells have been approved for pediatric graft versus host disease in Canada and New Zealand. Many other applications are progressing in trials, some with early benefits to patients.