Since stem cells have the potential to become almost any cell in the body, these cells offer tremendous potential to repair damage from serious injuries and degenerative diseases. However, stem cell treatments seem to be taking a while to develop.
There are two clinically approved treatments using stem cells: hematopoietic stem cell transplants for leukemia and other blood diseases, and skin grafts grown from stem cells for burn treatment. Both of these treatments use adult stem cells, also known as progenitor cells. Also, both predate the era of aggressive research on stem cell therapies that began about 15 years ago when Dr. James Thompson developed the first embryonic stem cell lines at the University of Wisconsin.
However, stem cell technology is really still a new area and researchers have just begun to unravel the processes controlling cell differentiation. Even with the limited current understanding, however, therapies for cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and treatments to repair damage to the eye, spine, and cartilage are all making their way through trials.
For more information on this developing area, take a look at the recently posted article, "Delivering on Stem Cell Therapy Treatments" that review developments in stem cell therapy and the progress towards clincal treatment based on this technology.
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Also, what you didn’t mention was that the therapies “making their way through trials” are almost all adult stem cell studies. Researchers have built and successfully surgically implanted heart tissue, trachea, and blood vessels all grown from adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells on the other hand? A recent study found marginal success in improving vision in a macular degeneration patient. And that’s about it. As one who works in the field, I can tell you that the field is moving away from embryonic because it just doesn’t work that well. Adult stem cells really are the better alternative: no ethical issues, they are not rejected by the patient’s immune system, and less risk of tumor formation.
JT – I agree. People should take a look at our forum called http://stemcellpioneers.com where we post news about advances with stem cells and 99% of them are with adult stem cells.
The ONLY reason embryonic stem cells have been in the forefront is politcs and money.
Please visit our site and educate yourselves. I wish Congress would become educated as well.