Stem cells in clinical practice: applications and warnings.
Stem cells are a relevant source of information about cellular differentiation, molecular processes and tissue homeostasis, but also one of the most putative biological tools to treat degenerative diseases. This review focuses on human stem cells clinical and experimental applications. Our aim is to take a correct view of the available stem cell subtypes and their rational use in the medical area, with a specific focus on their therapeutic benefits and side effects. We have reviewed the main clinical trials dividing them basing on their clinical applications, and taking into account the ethical issue associated with the stem cell therapy.


METHODS
We have searched Pubmed/Medline for clinical trials, involving the use of human stem cells, using the key words "stem cells" combined with the key words "transplantation", "pathology", "guidelines", "properties" and "risks". All the relevant clinical trials have been included. The results have been divided into different categories, basing on the way stem cells have been employed in different pathological conditions.
Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Modena, Italy.
Daniele
D
Lodi
Tommaso
T
Iannitti
Beniamino
B
Palmieri
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D057193:Medical Tourism / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D057905:Stem Cell Research / Q000941:ethics; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology
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