Stem Cell Breakthroughs: A Cure in Sight? | Chapter 4 | Medical Science: Trends and Innovations Vol. 4

Stem cells, characterized by their remarkable abilities for self-renewal and differentiation, are at the forefront of regenerative medicine, offering transformative potential for treating a spectrum of degenerative diseases. The journey of stem cell therapy began in 1958 and has evolved significantly, with pivotal advancements such as the isolation of embryonic stem cells in 1998 and the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells [iPSCs] in 2006. Different stem cell types—ranging from hematopoietic to mesenchymal and neural stem cells—show promise in addressing conditions like neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and haematological disorders. Despite their therapeutic potential, ethical dilemmas remain a significant challenge, particularly concerning embryonic stem cells, which prompt ongoing debates about the moral implications of their use. As the field progresses, addressing safety, efficacy, and equitable access to stem cell therapies is critical. Innovative delivery systems and methodologies are being developed to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies while minimizing associated risks. Looking ahead, research will focus on harnessing the full potential of stem cells, elucidating the molecular pathways that govern their differentiation, and navigating the ethical landscape. Through these efforts, we may pave the way for ground-breaking treatments that could redefine the future of healthcare and improve patient outcomes across various conditions.

 

Author (s) Details

Avi Mittal
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

Nikita Malik
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Kavita Sihmar
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Nazuk Soni
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Priyanka
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Hemant Kumar
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Ajay
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

Sujal
Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msti/v4/3313

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Ocular Surface Diseases: A Review | Chapter 01 | Issues and Developments in Medicine and Medical Research Vol. 9

 Background: Ocular surface diseases are one of the most common causes of vision impairment or blindness. In cell therapy and regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have sparked a lot of interest. They are not only widely available, but also have strong differentiating capacities and immunosuppressive qualities. Because of their propensity to evade host immunological rejection, they are commonly employed in allografts. Clinical trials using MSC for the treatment of a variety of disorders that are resistant to conventional therapy are now underway. Several studies have been conducted on the use of MSC in the treatment of corneal abnormalities, with extremely encouraging results.

Critical Issues: Currently, the wide range of MSC isolation and expansion techniques makes it difficult to assess cell treatment ability and establish new treatment regimens.

Future Research: Future research should focus on developing international standards for MSC isolation and characterization. Furthermore, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine techniques for corneal regeneration have shown to be promising. Direct cell/growth factor delivery and hydrogel/non-hydrogel-based scaffolds are the two basic kinds of regenerative methods. We examine current MSC developments in this review, as well as the need for more research to fully realise the potential of an MSC-based cell therapy for treating ocular surface illnesses.

Author(S) Details

Sahar M. M. Omar
Faculty of Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/IDMMR-V9/article/view/5836