Mesenchymal stem cells and neurodegenerative disease.
The prospect of cell therapy for incurable neurodegenerative disease excites scientists, the public, and patients alike. Clinical and scientific enthusiasm must, however, always be tempered by methodological rigor and by the overwhelming imperative of protecting vulnerable sufferers. We tentatively suggest that, in the case of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the balance between our current understanding of their biology and an informed assessment of their probable safety allows a case to be made for cautious pilot clinical studies.
Whone
A L
AL
Burden Neurological Institute, University of Bristol Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
Scolding
N J
NJ
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000628:therapy*