Stem Cell Treatments – A Quick Guide for Medical Practitioners

The science of stem cells is a field with great potential for treating injury and disease. Reports in the media suggest that stem cell treatments are close to being available to patients to treat a wide range of diseases, and these reports influence public perception. However, further research is required to create safe and effective treatments. The reality is that other than the use of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for blood and certain immune related disorders, the majority of stem cell treatments are still in the early stages of research and development. How does this document help you and your patient? This document has been adapted from existing patient handbooks1,2 and aims to provide practitioners with information to assist in discussing stem cell treatments with patients. It is supported by a Frequently Asked Questions document, which provides information for patients about stem cell treatments. What are stem cells and why are they important? Stem cells are precursor cells that can divide to produce either more identical stem cells, or many other different cell types in the body. This capability has stimulated enormous interest in the potential of stem cells to replace defective or damaged cells that cause disease. Stem cells can be derived from embryonic, fetal or some adult tissues and have different properties depending on their origin. A glossary of stem cell-related terms is presented at the end of this document. Further information on stem cells can be foun