Stem Cells In Clinical Practice Research Articles

Fresh Umbilical Cord Blood-A Source of Multipotent Stem Cells, Collection, Banking, Cryopreservation, and Ethical Concerns.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a rich source of hematopoietic cells that can be used to replace bone marrow components. Many blood disorders and systemic illnesses are increasingly being treated with stem cells as regenerative medical therapy. Presently, collected blood has been stored in either public or private banks for allogenic or autologous transplantation. Using a specific keyword, we used the English language to search for relevant articles in SCOPUS and PubMed databases over time frame. According to our review, Asian countries are increasingly using UCB preservation for future use as regenerative medicine, and existing studies indicate that this trend will continue. This recent literature review explains the methodology of UCB collection, banking, and cryopreservation for future clinical use. Between 2010 and 2022, 10,054 UCB stem cell samples were effectively cryopreserved. Furthermore, we have discussed using Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as transplant medicine, and its clinical applications. It is essential for healthcare personnel, particularly those working in labor rooms, to comprehend the protocols for collecting, transporting, and storing UCB. This review aims to provide a glimpse of the details about the UCB collection and banking processes, its benefits, and the use of UCB-derived stem cells in clinical practice, as well as the ethical concerns associated with UCB, all of which are important for healthcare professionals, particularly those working in maternity wards; namely, the obstetrician, neonatologist, and anyone involved in perinatal care. This article also highlights the practical and ethical concerns associated with private UCB banks, and the existence of public banks. UCB may continue to grow to assist healthcare teams worldwide in treating various metabolic, hematological, and immunodeficiency disorders.

Clinical observation of a patient with chronic heart failure after mesenchymal stem cell implantation in outpatient conditions

The article presents a case of a successful application of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical practice and provides an analysis of literature sources on this topic, clinical data, and results of laboratory studies.

Simultaneous and quantitative monitoring transcription factors in human embryonic stem cell differentiation using mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be self-propagated indefinitely in culture while holding the capacity to generate almost all cell types. Although this powerful differentiation ability of hESCs has become a potential source of cell replacement therapies, application of stem cells in clinical practice relies heavily on the exquisite control of their developmental fate. In general, an essential first step in differentiation is to exit the pluripotent state, which is precariously balanced and depends on a variety of factors, mainly centering on the core transcriptional mechanism. To date, much evidence has indicated that transcription factors such as Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog control the self-renewal and pluripotency of hESCs. Their expression displays a restricted spatial-temporal pattern and their small changes in level can significantly affect directed differentiation and the cell type derived. So far, few assays have been developed to monitor this process. Herein, we provided a mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach for simultaneous and quantitative monitoring of these transcription factors, in an attempt to provide insight into their contributions in hESC differentiation.

Applications of induced pluripotent stem cells in clinical practice

Stem cell research has shown a promising future in understanding and treating diseases from cellular level, factoring minimum patients' suffering in terms of toxicity and persistent or endless therapy. Induced pluripotent stem cells offer a variety of opportunities that were unimaginable in the past. Developments and breakthroughs from this field of science are constantly evolving with quite remarkable or rather overwhelming articles published. This is a systematic review study with the aim to simplify the basic understanding of induced pluripotent stem cells. Its journey so far and prospects to confer the solutions in clinical practice.

Stem Cell Applications for Treatment of Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases: Its Promises, Obstacles, and Future Perspectives.

Since the original discovery of stem cells, a new era of promising results has emerged in the clinical application of stem cells for the treatment of several important diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. The plentiful research on stem cells during the past decades has provided significant information on the developmental, morphological, and physiological processes that govern tissue and organ formation, maintenance, and regeneration; cellular differentiation; molecular processes; and tissue homeostasis. In this review, we present the history of the use of stem cells in different clinical applications. Furthermore, we discuss the various therapeutic options for stem cells in cancer, followed by the role of stem cells in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Additionally, we highlight the risks of and obstacles to the application of stem cells in clinical practice. Ultimately, we show future perspectives in stem cell use, with an aim to improve the clinical usefulness of stem cells.

Tendon-Derived Stem Cells for Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability, and arthroscopic repair is a frequently performed procedure. To improve results and reduce failure rate of this surgery, biological solutions to enhance tendon repair are being investigated. Mesenchymal stem cells contribute in creating a suitable microenvironment for tissue repair, and therefore therapeutic use of tendon tissue-specific stem cells in clinical practice is one of the most promising challenges in regenerative medicine approaches to rotator cuff repair. The aim of this article is to revise the current literature on tendon-derived stem cells for rotator cuff repair. Identification and characterization of a reservoir of progenitor cells in human shoulder periarticular tissues has been successfully confirmed by different authors. The first animal studies on the healing potential of these mesenchymal stem cells showed encouraging results. No clinical trials have been published yet. Rigorous preclinical translational studies are needed to ensure safety and efficacy of stem cells–based treatments before routine use in clinical practice.

Stem cells in clinical practice for cardiovascular diseases

Abstract Introduction According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 17.3 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2008, representing 30% of all global deaths, and almost 23.6 million people will die from CVDs by 2030. CVDs remain the predominant cause of mortality worldwide. Aim In this review, the authors discuss the current strategies and therapies targeting stem cells in CVDs. Material and methods In this paper we present an overview of stem cell therapy for CVD and discuss the challenges these three areas present for maximum optimization of the efficacy of stem cell therapy for heart disease, and new strategies in progress. Discussion Various kinds of therapeutic methods have been studied to improve prognosis in cardiovascular diseases. Stem cells comprise an enormous opportunity to rebuild damaged tissues. Most of the application and clinical trials involve the various types of stem cells derived mainly from bone marrow and others sources of mesenchymal stem cells. Early data from these trials have produced mixed results often showing minor or transitory improvements. Conclusions The divergences are attributed to differences in cell preparations, the large number of stem cell types under investigation in different clinical settings, timing, methods of cell administration and characteristics of patients.

Expected applications of the endometrial stem cells in clinical practice

Recent findings in stem cell biology and cell engineering cannot be left without physicians’ attention. Endometrium as actively regenerating tissue represents also a source of endometrial stem cells. Endometrial stem cells have specific properties that distinguish them from other somatic stem cells. Endometrial stem cells have already shown their therapeutic efficiency and safety in a number of experimental and clinical trials. The biological basis of endometrial stem cells therapeutic potential and recent data on their use in clinical practice are discussed in the article.

Emerging Applications of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine to Sports Injuries.

Background:The treatment of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries with stem cells has become more publicized because of recent reports of high-profile athletes undergoing stem cell procedures. There has been increased interest in defining the parameters of safety and efficacy and the indications for potential use of stem cells in clinical practice.Purpose:To review the role of regenerative medicine in the treatment of sports-related injuries.Study Design:Review.Method:Relevant studies were identified through a PubMed search combining the terms stem cells and cartilage, ligament, tendon, muscle, and bone from January 2000 to August 2013. Studies and works cited in these studies were also reviewed.Results:Treatment of sports-related injuries with stem cells shows potential for clinical efficacy from the data available from basic science and animal studies.Conclusion:Cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine offer safe and potentially efficacious treatment for sports-related musculoskeletal injuries. Basic science and preclinical studies that support the possibility of enhanced recovery from sports injuries using cell-based therapies are accumulating; however, more clinical evidence is necessary to define the indications and parameters for their use. Accordingly, exposing patients to cell-based therapies could confer an unacceptable risk profile with minimal or no benefit. Continued clinical testing with animal models and clinical trials is necessary to determine the relative risks and benefits as well as the indications and methodology of treatment.

Effects of sex hormones on stem cells and stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis

Substantial progress has been made in the stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis. However,the therapeutic effect is limited by decreased self- renewal of stem cells during migration. Therefore,to improve the self- renewal of stem cells after transplantation is urgent and essential for the successful application of stem cells in clinical practice. Current studies have shown that sex hormones have an impact on the self- renewal of stem cells. The effects of estrogens and androgens on the self- renewal of various stem cells and the functional differences between the stem cells from persons of different sexes are reviewed. Moreover,the effect of sex hormones on stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis is discussed. It is considered that sex hormones have significant theoretical and clinical values for improving the self- renewal of stem cells and selecting appropriate stem cells in the stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis.

Differential marker expression by cultures rich in mesenchymal stem cells

BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells have properties that make them amenable to therapeutic use. However, the acceptance of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical practice requires standardized techniques for their specific isolation. To date, there are no conclusive marker (s) for the exclusive isolation of mesenchymal stem cells. Our aim was to identify markers differentially expressed between mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures. We compared and contrasted the phenotype of tissue cultures in which mesenchymal stem cells are rich and rare. By initially assessing mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, we established that bone marrow and breast adipose cultures are rich in mesenchymal stem cells while, in our hands, foreskin fibroblast and olfactory tissue cultures contain rare mesenchymal stem cells. In particular, olfactory tissue cells represent non-stem cell mesenchymal cells. Subsequently, the phenotype of the tissue cultures were thoroughly assessed using immuno-fluorescence, flow-cytometry, proteomics, antibody arrays and qPCR.ResultsOur analysis revealed that all tissue cultures, regardless of differentiation potential, demonstrated remarkably similar phenotypes. Importantly, it was also observed that common mesenchymal stem cell markers, and fibroblast-associated markers, do not discriminate between mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures. Examination and comparison of the phenotypes of mesenchymal stem cell and non-stem cell mesenchymal cell cultures revealed three differentially expressed markers – CD24, CD108 and CD40.ConclusionWe indicate the importance of establishing differential marker expression between mesenchymal stem cells and non-stem cell mesenchymal cells in order to determine stem cell specific markers.

Proliferación y diferenciación osteogénica de células madre mesenquimales en hidrogeles de plasma sanguíneo humano

Introduction: The use of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical practice has increased considerably in the last decade because they play a supporting role in the processes of tissue repair and regeneration, becoming the main tool of cell therapy for the treatment of diseases functionally affecting bone and cartilage tissue.Objective: To evaluate in vitro the proliferative and osteogenic differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue in a blood plasma hydrogel.Materials and methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from human adipose tissue explants and characterized by flow cytometry. Their multipotentiality was demonstrated by their ability to differentiate to adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability of the cells cultured in blood plasma hydrogels were also evaluated.Results: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue growing in human blood plasma hydrogels showed a pattern of proliferation similar to that of the cells cultured in monolayer and also maintained their ability to differentiate to osteogenic lineage.Conclusions: Human blood plasma hydrogels are a suitable support for proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue and provides a substrate that is autologous, biocompatible, reabsorbable, easy to use, potentially injectable and economic, which could be used as a successful strategy for the management and clinical application of cell therapy in regenerative medicine.

Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in hydrogels of human blood plasma

The use of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical practice has increased considerably in the last decade because they play a supporting role in the processes of tissue repair and regeneration, becoming the main tool of cell therapy for the treatment of diseases functionally affecting bone and cartilage tissue . To evaluate in vitro the proliferative and osteogenic differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue in a blood plasma hydrogel. Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from human adipose tissue explants and characterized by flow cytometry. Their multipotentiality was demonstrated by their ability to differentiate to adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability of the cells cultured in blood plasma hydrogels were also evaluated. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue growing in human blood plasma hydrogels showed a pattern of proliferation similar to that of the cells cultured in monolayer and also maintained their ability to differentiate to osteogenic lineage. Human blood plasma hydrogels are a suitable support for proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue and provides a substrate that is autologous, biocompatible, reabsorbable, easy to use, potentially injectable and economic, which could be used as a successful strategy for the management and clinical application of cell therapy in regenerative medicine.

Into the wild—The use and abuse of stem cells in clinical practice

Into the wild—The use and abuse of stem cells in clinical practice

Stem cells – the key to cancer treatment

It is worth mentioning that anti-cancer treatment has entered into an interesting era, with traditional therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormonotherapy on one side, and alternative therapies targeting stem cells on the other. Is it a new period for stem cells in clinical practice? Will stem cells become the cornerstone target of urological cancer treatment strategy in the future? Many convincing data indicate: yes. However, further studies are highly required to find the straight answer. What do we know about stem cells? Well, stem cells are biological cells found in all multicellular organisms that can divide and differentiate into diverse specialized cell types and can self–renew to produce more stem cells. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells collectively act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues.

Stem cells in clinical practice: applications and warnings

Stem cells are a relevant source of information about cellular differentiation, molecular processes and tissue homeostasis, but also one of the most putative biological tools to treat degenerative diseases. This review focuses on human stem cells clinical and experimental applications. Our aim is to take a correct view of the available stem cell subtypes and their rational use in the medical area, with a specific focus on their therapeutic benefits and side effects. We have reviewed the main clinical trials dividing them basing on their clinical applications, and taking into account the ethical issue associated with the stem cell therapy.MethodsWe have searched Pubmed/Medline for clinical trials, involving the use of human stem cells, using the key words "stem cells" combined with the key words "transplantation", "pathology", "guidelines", "properties" and "risks". All the relevant clinical trials have been included. The results have been divided into different categories, basing on the way stem cells have been employed in different pathological conditions.

Adult stem cells in tissue engineering

Tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving field of research that has yet to fulfil its promise in the translation and potential application of adult stem cells in clinical practice. Recently, it has become apparent that specific adult stem cells are capable of transdifferentiation. The successful application of adult stem cells is thought to be central in creating truly biomimetic tissue. Although still most widely utilized, research suggests that in the future, bone marrow-derived stem cells may no longer be considered the most suitable candidates for use in tissue engineering. Independent studies have successfully engineered a range of tissues in vitro and in vivo using hair follicle- and adipose-derived stem cells. Owing to their potency, relative abundance and noninvasive extraction, these populations may be the most promising studied to date. This review aims to discuss these candidate adult stem cell populations in an attempt to assess the most promising avenues of research.

Targets and targeted drugs in chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is probably the most extensively studied and best understood human leukemia. The disease has long served as and still is a paradigmatic model to test various preclinical and translational concepts in hematology, sometimes with overwhelming success as exemplified by the Philadelphia chromosome and BCR/ABL, stem cell transplantation, or the use of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors. More recent concepts aim at targeting leukemic stem cells and stem cell subclones in CML by novel drugs and drug-combinations, with the goal to improve drug therapy. Other concepts attempt to employ endogenous antibodies or negative growthregulators to block leukemic cell growth. Novel prognostic markers indicating minimal residual disease offer new opportunities to measure the clinical effects of such novel drugs on residual persistent CML stem cells in clinical practice. To discuss all these new developments and future concepts in CML, a Conference on ‘‘Targets and Targeted Drugs’’ was organized in Vienna in October 2007 (October 26‐28, 2007). The conference took place at the Renaissance Penta Hotel, located close to the city center. The participants, all well recognized authorities in the field, presented and discussed their most recent concepts and data in this conference. The current issue of ‘‘Leukemia and Lymphoma’’ is dedicated to this meeting and to the above mentioned concepts, and provides a series of minireviews prepared by participants of the conference. It is our hope that this publication-cluster will motivate basic science colleagues and clinical colleagues to make further efforts in CML research, with the ultimate goal being to develop new, better or even curative drug therapies in the future.

Stem Cells: Promises Versus Limitations

Stem cells are the self-renewing progenitors of several body tissues and are classified according to their origin and their ability to differentiate. Current research focuses on the potential uses of stem cells in medicine and how they can provide effective treatment for a range of diseases. This approach has resulted in the field of medical practice called regenerative medicine. To attain the promises of regenerative medicine, it is necessary to fully understand the biology and properties of stem cells, achieve their successful differentiation into functional tissues, overcome the barriers related to immune responses after administration, and assess any oncogenic properties that limit their use. The availability of human stem cells not only raises hope for cell replacement therapies, but also provides a system for understanding the mechanisms of embryonic development and disease progression. Nevertheless, it raises ethical concerns that need to be addressed before the use of stem cells in clinical practice.

Stem cell therapy - Hope and scope in pediatric surgery

A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell in the body with undetermined function capable of forming various tissues under definite signals received from the body. Stem cell research in animals using embryonal stem cells has been an ongoing program in the west with fruitful results. However, only limited information is available with the use of stem cells in human beings. Of the various sources of stem cells, umbilical cord blood stem cell research has shown potential for future treatment in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart attack, stroke and spinal cord injuries. Human trials have been done in diseases like spinal cord injury and chronic liver cirrhosis. Cord blood stem cells have already been effectively used in the treatment of sickle cell, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and some other cancers, life threatening anemias and auto-immune diseases. <br>Current challenges with the use of stem cells in clinical practice include the provisions to direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into specialized cell populations, and also devise ways to guard their development or proliferation once placed in vivo. Only further research and its clinical application will solve the many unanswered queries. <br>