Stem cell therapy is a potential treatment solution to many diseases that may have seemed impossible to treat in the past. There are already existing many types of stem cell therapies, from animal to human and from basic to applied. The treatment can potentially treat various diseases ranging from severe illnesses to sports injuries. The article will keep you updated about the essential news, which may be interesting for you to understand about human stem cell therapy.
1. Discovery of an Amphibian’s Ability to Regenerate Body Parts
Scientists discovered a salamander, which they called axolotl, to have the capability to regenerate almost any body part. The amphibian can restore the function of the brain, eyes, and spinal cords. It can also regrow its entire arm and heal injuries fast due to its ability to renew its tissues after injury.
By studying the axolotl’s genome, scientists have now advanced in stem cell therapy by understanding tissue regeneration methods. That means these cells can re-differentiate to give rise to any other cell type, crucial to treating previously impossible ailments.
2. Scientists Show MRI Can Determine Inclusion or Exclusion of Stem Cell Therapy
MRI has proven to help predict stem cell treatment’s efficacy in brain therapy. The technology can thus help identify people more likely to benefit from stem cell technology. The first biomarker may help stem cell researchers use MRI as a criterion for inclusion or exclusion for the treatment.
The researchers are looking into the possibility of clinical trials evaluating stem cell treatment in babies born with brain injury. However, it’s crucial to understand the health status of brain cells before getting into stem therapy treatment.
3. Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Attack
Repairing the heart with the help of stem cells is becoming a viable treatment to prevent heart attacks. The cells can regenerate into various heart cells, which could help repair and regenerate heart tissues. That may help increase oxygen supply and allow the heart to keep working, thus potentially preventing heart attack.
Some studies show that some heart attack patients received stem cells from their hearts and, after treatment, had a 50% improvement in the scar tissue. However, the field is still young, and doctors are looking into achieving even better results with other patients.
4. The First Human Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC) Are Isolated
Scientists isolated the first embryonic stem cells from a mouse in 1981. However, the first human embryonic stem cell isolation was in 1998 by Thomson and his team. Researchers have taken this further by proving that embryonic stem cells can develop into all body cells, including beta and neural cells. The pluripotent capabilities of stem cells have led to potential treatment solutions for people who have diabetes, liver diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and cardiovascular diseases.
5. First Successful Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant
The first successful cord blood stem cell transplant was in 1988 in Paris, France. The patient was suffering from potentially life-threatening anemia. Umbilical cord blood offers an excellent alternative to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells.
That’s because cord blood cells are a rich source of stem cells for transplanting. Researchers collect cord blood for transplant from the umbilical cord and the placenta after the baby’s delivery. The treatment helps restore the body’s ability to make blood and immune cells and has successfully helped treat people who have leukemia, primarily children.
Conclusion
Stem cell therapy has so many potential medical applications. The potential of this technology is exciting and hopeful, but it also requires more research to overcome since this breakthrough discovery. The treatment has saved lives and hopefully can reach that point where stem cell therapy can become the most preferred treatment to help improve the quality of life for those suffering from diseases that may have seemed impossible to tackle.
