Cellular Therapy Studies: 7 Common Challenges

By Heather Kopetskie and Kristen Mason

Cellular therapy is a form of treatment where patients are injected with cellular material. Different types of cells can be utilized such as stem cells (such as mesenchymal stem cells) and cells from the immune system (such as regulatory T cells (Tregs)) from either the patient or a donor. In many cases, these cells have been reprogrammed to carry out a new function that will aid in the treatment of a disease or condition. Cellular therapy has become increasingly-popular largely due to the fact that cells have the ability to carry out many complex functions that drugs cannot. When successful, cellular therapy can result in a more targeted and thus more effective treatment.