Regenerative medicine: An analysis of origins, trends and potential therapeutic applications, with a focus on hematopoietic stem cells

Abstract

The notion of creating fully functioning tissues or organs, better known as regenerative medicine, is nothing new. From the study of tissue regeneration in salamanders in the 18th century to the possibility of finding a cure for Parkinson's disease, regenerative medicine is a broad and critical facet of medical innovation. One of the most eminent sects of regenerative medicine is the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells to treat hematological and even non-hematological disorders. Herein lies the vast potential of these multipotent cells. These stem cells can be harvested from bone marrow, blood flowing through systemic circulation, or even umbilical cord blood. Transplantation of these cells can be autologous (infused into the same individual from whom the cells were harvested) syngeneic (transplanted into an identical twin), or allogeneic (transplanted into a patient with nonidentical genetic makeup). Throughout the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation has blossomed into an incredibly useful treatment mechanism for certain types of anemia, and even cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. As regenerative medicine develops further, treatments for autism and other neurological disorders will be within the range of medical possibilities. These prospects of regenerative medicine make it one of the most exciting medical developments in recent memory.