Our goal of use of stem cells in clinical practice is far from true. An intensive research is going to realize the promise of novel cell-based therapies. There are few needs that must be fulfilled before stem cells can be used in clinical practice.
we must be able to manipulate stem cells so that they possess the necessary characteristics for successful differentiation, transplantation, and engraftment.
The following is a list of steps in successful cell-based treatments that scientists will have to learn to control to bring such treatments to the clinic.
To be useful for transplant purposes, stem cells must be reproducibly made to:
- Proliferate extensively and generate sufficient quantities of tissue.
- Differentiate into the desired cell types.
- Survive in the recipient after transplant.
- Integrate into the surrounding tissue after transplant.
- Function appropriately for the duration of the recipient’s life.
- Avoid harming the recipient in any way.
Graft rejection is a major problem and the methods need to be designed to avoid the problem. Scientists are experimenting different strategies to overcome the problem.
About Arun Pal Singh