Stem Cell and Stem Cell Therapy in Thailand

Surapol Issaragrisil*

ABSTRACT: Stem cells have the properties of unlimited self renewal and differentiation into various cells or tissues. Stem cells can be divided into embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into all kinds of tissues or are pluripotent, whereas adult stem cells can differentiate into many but not all kinds of cells, and are multipotent. Hematopoietic stem cells have long been used to cure several hematologic disorders. The successful isolation and culture of human embryonic stem cell for the first time in 1998 generated the new hope of using stem cells for therapy of several diseases especially degenerative disorders, traumatic organ damage and aging. Human embryonic stem cells have been extensively investigated; however, clinical trials in human are not yet feasible and ethical problems exist. Adult stem cells especially hematopoietic stem cells are being used to treat several diseases in pilot and randomized controlled trials; further research, both basic and clinical, are however required in order to understand the mechanisms and the effectiveness of stem cell therapy. Of the most importance is to develop regulation and guideline for stem cell therapy especially human clinical trials as well as to provide public and physician education.

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Division of Hematology, Chulabhorn Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, E-mail: sisis@mahidol.ac.th