Abstract

Gene and cell therapy

Author(s): Amy Miles

Cell Therapy is the injection of cells into a patient to treat a disease. Blood transfusions were thought to be the first type of cell therapy to be used on a regular basis. Later, bone marrow transplantation became a well-established concept for treating a wide range of blood disorders such as anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and rare immunodeficiency diseases. Cell therapy is performed by alternative medical practitioners under a variety of names, including xenotransplant therapy, glandular therapy, and fresh cell therapy. Cell therapy supporters claim that it has been used successfully to repair spinal cord injuries, strengthen weak immune systems, treat autoimmune diseases such as AIDS, and assist patients with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.