[Stem cells--basic aspects and therapeutic perspectives].
Stem cells are somatic cells with different proliferation and differentiation potential. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are derived from human blastocysts. Recently, human ESC (hESC) were generated by nuclear transfer from somatic cells from patients for individual cell or tissue replacement. Adult stem cells (ASC) are multipotent and are harvested postnatally. ASC are found in peripheral blood and many tissues and organs and can differentiate in vitro to many cell types and tissues that can be used for therapeutic purposes ("tissue engineering"). Preliminary clinical studies demonstrate the tremendous therapeutic potential of ESC and ASC. Before a routine clinical application in humans, apart from many technical questions, safety and ethical issues need to be addressed and the therapeutic benefit of ESC and ASC for human diseases has to be demonstrated by qualified clinical studies.
Blum
H E
HE
Abteilung Innere Medizin II, Medizinische Universitätsklinik Freiburg i.Br. hubert.blum@uniklinik-freiburg.de
D000328:Adult; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques / Q000639:trends; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000639:trends*; D013557:Switzerland; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000639:trends