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The Very Near Term of Stem Cell Applications
(Tuesday June 23 2009)
 | While very interesting advances are taking place in stem cell laboratories, the immediate applications of stem cells to therapy largely involve transplants. So newly discovered sources of stem cells for transplant are likely to be employed for some years to come. Here, ScienceDaily notes the researchers have found "a new avenue for harvesting stem cells from a woman's placenta, or more specifically the discarded placentas of healthy newborns. The study also finds there are far more stem cells in placentas than in umbilical cord blood, and they can be safely extracted for transplantation. Furthermore, it is highly likely that placental stem cells, like umbilical cord blood and bone marrow stem cells, can be used to cure chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and leukemia. ... The greater supply of stem cells in placentas will likely increase the chance that an HLA (human leukocyte antigen) matched unit of stem cells engrafts, making stem cell transplants available to more people. The more stem cells, the bigger the chance of success." |
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