The so-called “SafeCell” paper from the journal PLoS One is one that a number of advocates of deregulation of the stem cell industry often have mentioned to me: Safety of Cell Therapy with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (SafeCell): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials I have read this paper and have some thoughts on it. As […]
A concerning trend in the for-profit stem cell field, but one that does not get enough attention, is self-experimentation by those selling (often unlicensed) stem cell treatments. In other words, the stem cell clinic leaders and docs often not only sell stem cell treatments to patients, but also they give themselves the same treatments, often repeatedly.
The dangers of stem cell self-experimentation: cartoon & discussion Read More »
Hundreds or even thousands of patients are getting stem cell procedures including right here in the U.S. Many key issues remain unresolved, but clinics and doctors are giving these treatments anyway to make money. Critical issues include lack of proper informed consent, lack of strong data on risks and benefits, huge costs, and so forth.
Comic on stem cell facelifts Read More »
Just how safe are stem cell transplants? Is an autologous stem cell transplant always safe? Is it really true, as one stem cell transplant doc once said of autologous stem cell treatments, that “the worst thing that could happen is the treatment won’t work”? Are adult stem cell treatments by definition safe? The reality is
Some 2012 papers that raise serious safety concerns about adult stem cell treatments Read More »
The recent NPR broadcast on stem cell therapies lit up my email inbox. Everyone wanted to know if I had heard it. I was working on about 10 things at once that day, but I ended up listening to it while walking my dog, Elvis, later that night. A few things struck me about the
Thoughts about the NPR piece on stem cells Read More »
RNL Bio had a challenging year in 2012 in my opinion. It was sued in U.S. court for stem cell fraud by Korean national patients living in the U.S. It had a legal tussle, still ongoing, with former partner Celltex over custody of Celltex’s banked patient stem cells. Well, it seems to me that 2013
RNL Bio charges for alleged stem cell smuggling raise larger questions Read More »
I recently attend a conference in Florida called The World Stem Cell Summit. It was very enjoyable and unique in that it brings together and is open to all constituents of the stem cell world. I gave a couple talks and did an “expert” luncheon at this meeting, but what I enjoyed most was talking
Perfect storm dodged: what are three key challenges for stem cell field going into 2013? Read More »
Every year around this time I put my “best of” the year in stem cells including awards such as my Stem Cell Person of the Year Award. For example here are the 2011 awards. This year I’m also trying with difficult to decide on what was the craziest thing for stem cells that happened in
What was the strangest event for stem cells in 2012? Pick from top 5 in poll Read More »
So far in my series of eight simple reasons not to get an unlicensed stem cell treatment I’ve covered three compelling reasons: potential loss of insurance coverage for negative outcomes that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, failure of patient follow up by the doctors and clinics, and exclusion from future clinical trial participation.
Have I got a stem cell for you! We hear a lot about the dangers of an increasing number of rogue stem cell clinics, but another critical trend has flown more under the radar: direct marketing of stem cells to doctors. This is big business and arguably one of the biggest threats to patients. In
Stem cell black market emerging in the U.S. Read More »