Boris Becker tweets joining flood of unproven stem cell sports medicine

We are seeing a flood of professional athletes getting stem cell treatments in the past few years. Just recently it was Ronaldo and now Boris Becker too. Before that Nadal had one. Gordie Howe. Bart Starr.

Many American football and baseball players too including Peyton Manning. Bartolo Colon. The list is getting into the dozens it seems.

What is driving this trend? Is there solid data behind it or not so much?

The trend includes both current and retired sports stars.

Is there a parallel trend of amateur athletes taking this shot in the dark too?

12 thoughts on “Boris Becker tweets joining flood of unproven stem cell sports medicine”

  1. I think of the FDA needs to move much faster and allow trials to start sooner than later. Overseas in Asia, they have already implanted regenerated in vertebral discs into human bodies and have done quite well. The review process also needs to be sped up since many foreign countries with a faster review process are starting to step faster than us.

  2. I think someone should tell the Gov’t that they have no authority to regulate a persons own body parts period. If I can take my own blood and give it to another without any issues I sure as hell should be able to give my own stem cells to myself without having to go to Mexico. To say that the Gov’t has any authority in this matter is ridiculous to say the least… PRP is okay though And for those saying this is unproven therapy must be blind. Just say’n

  3. Brian Sanderson

    Regarding your question: “What is driving this trend?” Probably a dearth of alternatives for which there is better evidence of efficacy and safety.

  4. Brian Sanderson

    I expect that that Mr Becker has thought through the treatment options (whatever they are) for his medical problem (whatever that is). Who knows whether or not there was even a “proven” option? Since I know nothing about the details, there is not much to say, except that I’m pleased that he has the freedom to make his own decisions and I hope that it goes well for him.

  5. Well, they are all going to different places and having different treatments. What is the efficacy of this? These people are elites that don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses or putting food on the table. The rest of us can’t copycat this. It makes a big difference trying to collect $7K or so for a stem-cell treatment that is just in its infancy. We need some help here in trying to decide if this is worth it for our particular problem and which, IF ANY, clinics have the requisite integrity. Can you give us this guidance?

  6. Guus Hiddink, the Dutch football manager and former player, also had stem cell surgery on his knee, with satisfactory results, if this article is to be believed.

  7. There’s an FDA meeting Sept. 12 and 13. The title is “Part 15 Hearing on Draft Guidances Relating to the Regulation of HCT/Ps”. HCT/Ps means “Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products.”

    Registration is free- here’s the website: June 1, 2016 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/part-15-hearing-on-draft-guidances-relating-to-the-regulation-of-hctps-registration-22921962206.

    It will be a great opportunity to hear what stem cell companies are doing and what they want to ask the FDA.

    1. Thanks for the heads up, Jeanne. I see it is a 2-day event. I’m going to post on this.
      Are you thinking of going?
      Paul

  8. I’m delighted to hear that he got treatment. Daniel Cormier recently had treatment as well. I celebrate their choice to do what they want.

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