The global landscape of stem cell clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials (CTs) listed in worldwide registries involving new applications for stem cell-based treatments and account for the role of industry.


METHODS
We developed a data set of 4749 stem cell CTs up to 2013 in worldwide registries. We defined 1058 novel CTs (i.e., trials that were not observational in nature; did not involve an established stem cell therapy for an established indication, such as hematopoietic stem cells for leukemia; and did not investigate supportive measures). Based on trial descriptions, we manually coded these for eight additional elements.


RESULTS
Our analysis details the characteristics of novel stem cell CTs (e.g., stem cell types being tested, disease being targeted, and whether interventions were autologous or allogeneic), geotemporal trends, and private sector involvement as sponsor or collaborator.


CONCLUSIONS
The field is progressing at a steady pace with emerging business models for stem cell therapeutics. However, therapeutic rhetoric must be tempered to reflect current clinical and research realities.
School of Public Health, 3-279 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405-87 Ave, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada.
Matthew D
MD
Li
Harold
H
Atkins
Tania
T
Bubela
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057905:Stem Cell Research