title: Stem cells in bone diseases: current clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone is an obvious candidate tissue for stem cell therapy. This review provides an update of existing stem cell-based clinical treatments for bone pathologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic computerized literature search was conducted. The following databases were accessed on 10 February 2011: NIH clinical trials database, PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane Reviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stem cell therapy offers new options for bone conditions, both acquired and inherited.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is still no agreement on the exact definition of 'mesenchymal stem cells'. Consequently, it is difficult to appreciate the effect of culture expansion and the feasibility of allogeneic transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the sound foundations of pre-clinical research, stem cell-based treatments and protocols have recently emerged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Well-designed prospective clinical trials are needed in order to establish and develop stem cell therapy for bone diseases.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein-Kerem, POB 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Shaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beyth
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Meir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liebergall
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D057905:Stem Cell Research