Stem Cell Tourism Market for unauthorized stem cell therapies is growing dramatically

Researchers list hundreds of clinics
In the US, there are apparently more and more trafficking in unapproved stem cell therapies. This has resulted in a study by two American scientists, which has now been published in the journal "Cell Stem Cell". As Paul Knoepfler of the University of California (UC Davis) and Leigh Turner of the University of Minnesota report, there are currently more than 350 companies offering their treatments nationwide in 570 clinics, for example. to sell to patients with heart disease.

Companies offer therapies in at least 570 clinics
In their article, US scientists Paul Knoepfler and Leigh Turner present an analysis of US companies that use direct-to-consumer marketing (DTC) in hospitals to sell unapproved stem cell treatments directly to patients. The area of ​​application appears to be large, ranging from orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders and heart disease to lung disease, immune system problems, spinal cord injuries, and cosmetic issues, the UC Davis School of Medicine reports in a recent press release.

In hundreds of US clinics, apparently unauthorized stem cell treatments are being sold directly to patients. (Image: mmphoto / fotolia.com)

Treatments are offered in almost every major location
According to the study, the business with stem cell therapies, which according to the study would be marketed by at least 351 companies nationwide, is growing. "In almost every state, local people can receive" stem cell "treatments", says stem cell researcher Prof. Knoepfler. "Many people in larger metropolitan areas only need 15 minutes to drive to find a clinic that offers this kind of service - instead of having to travel to Mexico or the Caribbean," the researcher continues, describing the situation.

"I think that reflects the change from what we have documented in the past and is different from what we usually think when we think about stem cell tourism," Knoepfler continues.

Biggest offer in California
The researchers used the Internet for their documentation and collected relevant data through keyword research, text mining, and content analysis of corporate websites. For each company, they recorded the company name, location (s), website addresses, advertised stem cell types, and advertising slogans for diseases, injuries, and conditions that reportedly involved stem cells. Their research may therefore serve as the first basis for further studies of US companies that address consumers directly to promote alleged stem cell therapies, according to the University's announcement. The treatments were most frequently offered in the states of California (113 clinics), Florida (104) and Texas (71).

In nearly two-thirds of the treatments marketed, the researchers are looking for fat stem cells, 48 ​​percent of the companies also have stem cells from bone marrow in the program, write the authors of the study. Promotional measures for induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells (1 each) as well as xenogeneic stem cells (2 companies) were comparatively rare. (No)