Therapeutic use of stem cells in Mexico: Status and perspectives

Abstract

The use of stem cells (SCs) is one of the most promising strategies for multiple human affections due to its properties such as proliferation, migration through the tissue, immune system modulation, and differentiation potential. SC can differentiate into the cellular lineages of the organism, which gives them a potential use for restoration of damaged tissue due to acute or chronic factors and immune diseases. Due to these properties, SC has been evaluated in more than 6700 clinical trials worldwide, including Mexico. Actual research has not clarified all the biological mechanisms that control SCs so that there are multiple risks involved in SC treatments, which patients need to consider before approaching said treatments. There is also a lack of legislation for these treatments, which despite having a real potential therapeutic effect, propitiates the establishment of medical treatments that do not guarantee safety and efficacy, so patients should consider the risks and benefits before a procedure. This review intends to provide an overview of SC characteristics, identification, actual and future SC treatments, and information about non-regulated SC therapies and possible side effects.

Keywords

• Stem cells. Clinical trials. Stem cell tourism.