REVIEW ON STEM CELL THERAPY

ABSTRACT Stem cells are biological cells found in mammalian organisms that have the capacity to convert into any type of cells. They are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. They are unspecialized. They can give rise to specialized cell types. Stem cells are further categorised as adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. The main aim of stem cell therapy is to cure diseases and disorders that have no treatment. Stem cell therapy is emerging as a potentially revolutionary new way to treat disease and injury, with wide-ranging medical benefits. It aims to repair damaged and diseased body-parts with healthy new cells provided by stem cell transplants. Preclinical and clinical research has recently tremendously improved stem cell therapy, being a promising treatment option for various diseases in which current medical therapies fail to cure, prevent progression or relieve symptoms. However, Stem cell research presents many ethical and scientific questions as well as future challenges. Nevertheless, stem cell therapy, a prologue to an era of medical discovery of cell-based therapies that will one day restore function to those whose lives are now challenged every day, is still at the beginning of the road. This review summarizes general aspects as well as current and future perspectives of stem cell therapy. KEYWORDS: Stem cell, Stem cell therapy, Adult stem cells, Embryonic stem cells.