![]() ![]() Russian biologist Alexander Maximow theorized in 1909 that a set of “stem cells” in bone marrow could differentiate into red and white blood cells. Boveri’s description comprises the essential characteristics of an embryonic stem (ES) cell. Twenty years later, fellow German Theodor Boveri refined that term to describe roundworm embryo cells capable of making copies of themselves (self-renewal) and specializing (differentiating) into any other cell. In 1868, German biologist Ernst Haeckel coined the term “ stem cell” to describe a fertilized egg. Ever since, scientists have been trying to understand how a single cell could contain and direct such unlimited potential. A Cell With Unlimited PotentialĪfter nearly 200 years of peering through ever more powerful microscopes, scientists in the mid-19th century pieced together the implications of what they saw: cells were the building blocks of all life, and the human body developed from a single cell - a fertilized egg. An “induced” stem cell, created from an existing cell, harnesses that flexibility and offers the opportunity to study and perhaps develop new treatments for neurological diseases. A stem cell retains that potential and when prodded correctly can become anything from a heart cell to a brain cell. If you are interested in cell therapy, the best course of action is to speak with your physician, as these treatments need to be evaluated for safety and effectiveness in clinical trials approved by Health Canada.Every person starts life as a single cell with unlimited potential. The Arthritis Society funds research on cell therapy in arthritis to further our understanding of the short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of these treatments in managing or preventing conditions like arthritis. Cell therapy research is increasingly becoming more common and sophisticated, which may lead to more effective tissue repair and regeneration techniques for arthritis and other conditions in the future. With further research, this may have the potential to reverse the damage of arthritis and avoid the need for joint replacement surgery. Cell therapy research (which can include but is not limited to stem cells) offers the promise for a person’s own cells to potentially be used to repair or replace cells damaged by disease or injury or reduce inflammation and pain. The Arthritis Society supports research on cell therapy and ‘stem cells’, which are studied under regulated clinical trials. ![]() These treatments often do not help and may even harm patients. However, hype about stem cell therapy has led some people to pay thousands of dollars on treatments that promise to cure ailments from arthritis to Parkinson’s disease. This allows them to multiply and repair damage. ![]() You may be familiar with ‘stem cells’, which can renew themselves and mature into specialized cells like cartilage, heart or brain cells. Health Canada does not allow clinics and providers in Canada to offer cell therapy These are not approved by Health Canada, which considers all ‘stem cell’ treatments as drugs and requires them to be proven in clinical trials. However, there are some for-profit clinics which offer cell or even ‘stem cell’ treatments for osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. Many cell therapies for arthritis – those that use a patient’s own cells – are still experimental and are being evaluated in regulated clinical trials. Inflammatory Arthritis Medications Simplified.Expand this section:: Tools and Resources.Expand this section:: Professional EducationĬlinical Practice Skills for Inflammatory Arthritis.Expand this section:: Healthcare Professionals.Expand this section:: Research Programs & Awards.Expand this section:: About Arthritis Society Canada.Expand this section:: Support Resources.Expand this section:: Support in Your CommunityĪrthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program (AREP).Expand this section:: Navigating Through Arthritis.Expand this section:: Arthritis and Work.Expand this section:: Arthritis Talks Webinars.Expand this section:: Support & Education.Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS).Expand this section:: Your Patient Journey.Expand this section:: Arthritis Risk Factors.Expand this section:: Arthritis Types (A - Z).Expand this section:: Signs of Arthritis.Expand this section:: What is Arthritis. ![]()
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