Homologous Use of Adult Stem Cells

Scientists and medical researchers continue to make strides in studies surrounding the homologous use of adult stem cell therapies to prevent, treat and cure disease. According to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, as administered by the Food and Drug Administration, homologous stem cells are those that perform the same basic functions in the recipient as in the donor.

Function

• Researchers have recently confirmed, whether used in an allogeneic transplant (in a different patient) or in an autologous transplantation (returned to the same patient), adult stem cells are somewhat limited in their ability to specialize. Initially all stem cells are unspecialized. However, unlike embryonic stem cells, which can go through a process called differentiation to become specialized in other areas, the majority of adult stem cells create the types of tissue in which they reside. Thus, homologous use is basically how adult cells function best.

Potential

• Hundreds of research studies are under way to determine the potential benefits of the homologous use of adult stem cells along with the myriad ways embryonic cells can be used in medical treatments. Researchers are looking for ways to use the regenerative powers of stem cells to treat (and prevent) such diseases and ailments as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and heart disease. The healing potential of certain cells has been known for decades.

History

• In 1968, doctors at the University of Minnesota performed the world's first successful bone marrow transplant on a patient with immune deficiency syndrome. Before scientists had learned much of anything at all about stem cells, this procedure laid the groundwork for using their regenerative nature in medical treatments. Subsequently, in 1975, the university was also the site of the world's first successful bone marrow transplant in a patient with a lymphoma, an additional breakthrough in stem cell treatments.

Significance

• In recent studies, homologous transfusions of hematopoietic (pertaining to the formation of blood or blood cells) stem cells used to rebuild blood damaged from lethal irradiation have shown significant positive results. After a period of time following treatment, the blood cell counts return to normal levels. The scientists use genetic marking to demonstrate that the new blood cells derived from the donor stem cells, and ongoing studies of the transfusion recipients monitor their progress for years.

Considerations

• According to the National Institutes of Health, scientists have proved that the heart and brain also contain stem cells. This development has inspired researchers to think that if they can learn to control the differentiation of the adult cells, the ways in which they can be used in therapies involving transplantation techniques will be greatly expanded. Scientists hope to build on these rapidly accumulating discoveries to develop treatments and potential cures for human diseases through the homologous use of adult stem cells.