ADULT STEM CELLS

August 2004
		Adult stem cells, which come from bone marrow, skin, brain, blood and muscle, appear to have enormous potential to help repair the body. But individual studies on stem cell therapy are showing mixed results. Helen Blau, Ph.D., of the Stanford University School of Medicine and Charles Murry, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Washington's Department of Pathology answer your questions.

Online NewsHour Special Report: Adult Stem Cells Forum Introduction If the current restrictions posed on stem cell research were eliminated, how long would it be before initial procedures for spinal cord injuries would begin to appear? I have Parkinson's and I'm 51 years old. What's a possible timetable for the application of stem cell therapy to help me and others in my age range? Why can't stem cells derived from bone marrow be cultured and the injected locally into regions of the brain that has been damaged as a consequence of a stroke? What are your feelings on the potential of umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cell transplantation? Is it true that the research to date is not applicable to all ethnic groups, particularly, persons of African decent? Can stem cells injected into the body cause cancers? What kind of research is happening in this country, and when can I see human research here?	A viewer asks: Why can't stem cells derived from bone marrow be cultured and the injected locally into regions of the brain that has been damaged as a consequence of a stroke? Dr. Helen Blau responds: This is an excellent question and is again an area of many investigations. It does seem that this may be a possible treatment, once we learn to enhance the use of stem cells better. We already know that injection into leg muscles of a subset of bone marrow derivatives contributes to damaged muscles. This may also be possible in the brain. Dr. Charles Murry responds: There is no technical reason that bone marrow cells cannot be injected into the brain, once a patient has stabilized after a stroke. Our limitation right now is whether such an intervention would be safe or effective. Initial hopes that bone marrow could give rise to significant numbers of neurons in the brain may have been too optimistic. This area is being intensively studied in animal models right now. Stay tuned!