Open AccessOnline seminars as an information source for direct-to-consumer stem cell therapy
Author(s) -
Mirna Hassoun
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1746-076X
pISSN - 1746-0751
DOI - 10.2217/rme-2021-0070
Subject(s) - the internet , attendance , medicine , covid-19 , internet privacy , business , political science , world wide web , computer science , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
Aim: To attend stem cell (SC) seminars hosted by US-based direct-to-consumer SC businesses either in person or via online ‘webinars’ to determine accuracy and regulatory oversight of the advertised SC therapies. Methods: The therapeutic claims, costs, risks, scientific evidence in support of a therapy and any regulatory oversight were collated using pre-established checklists. Participation consisted of one live attendance of a seminar, and following COVID-19 restrictions, review of seven recorded presentations available on the internet from SC businesses. Results & conclusion: None of the SC therapies advertised by direct-to-consumer clinics reviewed were supported by proper clinical evidence nor substantiated by peer reviewed literature.