Key points from article :
Stem-cell therapies are making remarkable strides toward clinical application, offering hope for debilitating diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, and epilepsy. Stem cells’ ability to regenerate damaged tissues has long been studied, but clinical trials are now rigorously testing their safety and potential for transformative treatments. Unlike unapproved therapies marketed by dubious clinics, these trials use highly controlled stem-cell types, including human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
In Parkinson’s disease, stem-cell transplants aim to replace dopamine-producing neurons damaged in the brain, as seen in a trial involving Andrew Cassy, who received neurons derived from human ES cells. Preliminary results from similar trials have shown promise, with fewer side effects than current drugs. The brain, being somewhat isolated from the immune system, is particularly suited for stem-cell treatments, requiring only short-term immunosuppression.
Successes extend beyond the brain. Trials for epilepsy have seen significant reductions in seizures after interneuron transplants, and stem-cell-derived islet cells have allowed many type 1 diabetes patients to reduce or eliminate insulin injections. However, challenges remain for complex organs like the heart, which require fixing damaged tissue in situ. While progress has been slower in some areas, researchers remain optimistic that stem-cell therapies will become part of mainstream medicine within the next decade.
