Open AccessAdvances in Stem Cell Technologies for Disease Therapy: A Current Review
Author(s) -
Nadiya Patel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
annals of advanced biomedical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2641-9459
DOI - 10.23880/aabsc-16000107
Subject(s) - induced pluripotent stem cell , stem cell , embryonic stem cell , mesenchymal stem cell , carcinogenesis , biology , stem cell therapy , medicine , neuroscience , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , genetics , gene
Stem cells have the capability of differentiating into limitless cell types, alongside the function of exceptional proliferative capacity. There are three main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). ESCs are highly versatile and hold great therapeutic potential but have great ethical barriers and considerations that are yet to be overcome. IPSCs have become increasingly popular within research as they are not restrained by any ethical issues and do not require approval for their usage. The aim of this review was to expand on the background and therapeutic potential of ESCs and IPSCs whilst linking this to their use within disease therapy with a specific focus on ethics, tumorigenesis and survivability. The analysis found some conflicting results and a delay in the advance of overcoming the problems of tumorigenesis and survivability of stem cells. Both stem cells types have shown good efficacy but do also come with their disadvantages.