Francis Matthew L.

Pleta
2 – Damian
STEM CELL THERAPY

Stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that promotes the repair response
of diseased, dysfunctional, or injured tissue by using stem cells or their derivatives. It has been
said that the use of stem cells may be the next chapter in organ transplantation because it
eliminates the burden of having to find for donors due to limited supply.

Furthermore, stem cell therapy can be used to treat a variety of diseases and conditions
such as cardiovascular illnesses, wounds, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases,
and many more. For instance, doctors have been performing stem cell transplants (bone
marrow transplants) in cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy. The mechanism
behind this is that stem cells are used to replace cells damaged by chemotherapy, thus
speeding up the recovery process of the patient. Another example that I like to bring up is a
recent clinical trial has also used stem cells in treating people with type 1 diabetes. The trial
demonstrated insulin secretion from engrafted cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. Pancreatic
endoderm cells from human pluripotent stem cells were used as implants and were tested for
safety, tolerability, and efficacy among the 26 patients involved in the clinical trial. Although the
insulin secreted by these cells did not have significant clinical effects in the patients, the data
from this trial is the first reported evidence of meal-regulated insulin secretion by differentiated
stem cells in human patients.

There are a lot of controversies and ethical considerations surrounding stem cell
therapy. However, I believe that this form of treatment is very promising and that it should be
used wisely and in regulation. Through this medical breakthrough, diseases will be a lot easier
to cure and patients will be receiving better forms of treatment.
References:

5 benefits of stem cell therapy. 5 Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy: Advanced Spine and Pain: Orthopedic
Specialists. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2022, from
https://www.advancedspineandpain.com/blog/5-benefits-of-stem-cell-therapy

Cell Press. (2021, December 2). Stem cell-based implants successfully secrete insulin in patients with
type 1 diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 20, 2022 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211202113432.htm

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2019, June 8). Frequently asked questions about
stem cell research. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 21, 2022, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-
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