Exciting progress is being made through innovative and carefully conducted research related to the potential of many types of stem cells for slowing MS disease activity and for repairing damage to the nervous system.

At present, there are no approved stem cell therapies for MS. There are different types of stem cells and the effects of receiving them depend on additional factors, including the specific procedures used to prepare and administer them, and biological conditions in the person to whom they are given. Stem cell therapy is still in the experimental stage, so its important for people to have the best available information to understand this exciting area of research and make decisions related to this complex issue.

In the U.S. and in other places around the world, for-profit stem cell clinics are appearing in increasing numbers. These clinics claim to have treated people with MS and people with many other disorders with stem cells. However, these clinics are unregulated and none have provided medical evidence that their treatments work or are safe. A recent study published in June 2016 confirmed that many different types of unproven stem cell treatments are being offered in these clinics. The study highlighted concerns for the safety of people who undergo these treatments, emphasized the need for better oversight and raised ethical issues and regulatory concerns related to marketing unproven treatments for a range of health conditions.

The papers findings support the need for stem cell therapy to be explored in the context of carefully conducted clinical trials that can determine what the optimal cells, delivery methods, safety and actual effectiveness of cell therapies might be for people with MS. For more details about this study:

Many experts in the MS community have expressed concern that:

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Stem Cell Clinics Questions to Ask - National Multiple ...