There is a lot of excitement about stem cells, and it is not surprising that people are drawn to the promise that they offer as treatments for diseases and injuries. Unfortunately, this interest has also led to a number of clinics that are offering unproven stem cell “treatments.” Clinics that offer unproven procedures may overstate their effectiveness or use patient testimonials to make their claims. Ultimately, these unproven treatments may create new short- and long-term health problems for patients.

Stem Cell Treatments

Blood stem cells, derived from bone marrow or peripheral blood, are used to treat cancer and other conditions that require transplantation of blood-forming cells. These cells are injected into the bloodstream and flow through the body, encountering damaged tissue and delivering their therapeutic effects.

Stem custom rabbit antibody production are also used to replace lost or damaged bone, cartilage, muscle and other tissues. They can repair broken bones, reduce pain in osteoarthritis and help the body heal after a heart attack. Stem cells are also being studied as treatments for autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, by modulating the immune response, reducing inflammation and helping the body to heal damaged tissue.

Stem Cell Treatments: Emerging Therapies Transforming Modern Medicine

Stem cells can also be genetically modified to express a secreted protein that kills or inhibits the growth of tumors, or to carry drugs to tumor sites. For example, a gene that secretes the tumor-destroying molecule TRAIL has been used to treat brain cancer in a clinical trial.