The use of stem cells in the treatment of several diseases has been shown to be very promising and presents great hope on the contrary of current available treatments. There are three types of diseases that can be a potential target of stem cells therapy:
Category 1:
These are diseases such as blood cancers that have been scientifically proven to be treated by stem cell therapy and bone-marrow transplantation. Stem cell therapy is approved and worldwide accepted to be the most suitable treatment after chemo- and radio- therapy. Thalassemia and immune-deficiency disease are also part of this category.
Category 2:
These are diseases that have been treated for years using stem cells worldwide. Although the results were very promising and mostly very successful and safe, SCs therapy for these diseases have not been officially approved in several countries. These diseases include heart complications, liver diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes milletus, infertility and spinal cord injuries.
Category 3:
There are only preliminary studies demonstrating the efficacy of SC therapy for these diseases. The data supporting the treatment of these diseases remain under investigation. Nevertheless, the preliminary results give hope for potential treatment in the future. These diseases include kidney failure and blindness.
The potential efficacy of SC therapy in the treatment of different diseases depends on several factors that include the type of disease, choosing the correct source/type of SCs, the method of SC collection, and the method of SC administration to the patient.