An overview of stem cell-based clinical trials in China.
Adult human stem cells are capable of maintaining, generating, and replacing terminally differentiated cells within their own specific tissue. Data suggest that adult stem cells (ASCs) generate differentiated cells beyond their own tissue boundaries, a process termed "developmental plasticity." Since early reports of developmental plasticity in animal models, researchers have made enormous advances in moving toward clinically applicable treatment options with stem cells from both bone marrow and peripheral blood. It seems China is entering this new therapeutic era more rapidly than other countries around the world. In this review, we focus on therapeutic applications of ASCs derived from bone marrow and peripheral blood. Furthermore, we also discuss concerns related to regulations monitoring stem cell-based clinical trials.
Liao
Lianming
L
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Basic Medicine, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Zhao
Robert Chunhua
RC
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002681:China; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation