| Abstract: |
SummaryThe prospect of using stem cells to repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues has generated enumerous interest the conditions that stem cell technologies might conceivably address include parkinson’s diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, type I diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osterthritis, kidney disease, blood disease, as sickle cell anemia, blindness, muscular dystrophy, loss of teeth, baldness, liver disease, breast disease, plastic purpose and vascular insults.In the field of hepatic disease, multiple sources of hepatic stem cells have been identified and preliminary evidence of therapeutic effectiveness has been provided in animal models. However, we have to learn more on the mechanisms of liver regeneration, including the role of stem cell. Definite protocols for the selection of a specific cell population and for in vitro expansion, differentiation should be developed, as well as protocols for clinical liver repopulation. The long-term feet of the transplanted cells should also be assessed in animal models, with respect to function, possible extra-hepatic localization, genetic stability and specially tumorigenesis. The risk is that superficial planning, without adequate considerations and knowledge of the underlining pathophysiology, will result in poorly focused clinical trials and possible complications which could in term originate skepticism on the development of cell therapy in hepatology. Even if the biological characteristics of hepatic stem cell still justified the hope fore successful future clinical applications, only amore cautions and systematic approach will guarantee consistent results.
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