Stem cell clinics: risk of proliferation

During the past 50 years, more than 1 million haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants have been done in patients with haematological malignancies.1 Such therapies are routinely used to treat leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, and heritable metabolic disorders. Although investigational, stem cell therapies and engineered transplants are also used to treat several other diseases and conditions.2–4 Exploiting these successes, commercial stem cell clinics are marketing dubious therapies ranging from cosmetic improvements to treatments for life threatening conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.