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Embryonic stem cells: are useful in clinic treatments?

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Abstract

It is not uncommon to find statements in the social media and even in some scientific journals declaring that embryonic stem cells can be used in human medicine for therapeutic purposes. In our opinion, this statement does not fit the medical reality. To go into this subject in depth, and if possible to clarify it, we reviewed the most recent literature on clinical trials conducted with embryonic stem cells, concluding that up to the present time, there is only one ongoing clinical trial being carried out with these types of cells to treat a small group of patients with spinal cord injury. The results of this trial have still not been published. In conclusion, at present, there is only evidence of one phase I clinical trial conducted with embryonic stem cells, in comparison to the numerous trials conducted with adult stem cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Life Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Justo Aznar & Jose Luis Sánchez

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  1. Justo Aznar
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  2. Jose Luis Sánchez
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Correspondence to Justo Aznar.

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Aznar, J., Luis Sánchez, J. Embryonic stem cells: are useful in clinic treatments?. J Physiol Biochem 67, 141–144 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-010-0064-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-010-0064-0

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