Breakthrough over stem cell safety

The groundbreaking work on stem cells by experts at Sheffield University, which is an international leader in the field, has identified genetic changes which occur in embryonic stem cells as they divide through time.

The findings will help scientists ensure stem cell therapies are safe and also provide insight into how cancer cells develop. Radical developments harnessing stem cells are expected to allow doctors to treat ailments which until now have been incurable, among them cancers, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and spinal cord injuries, but safety concerns remain.

Prof Peter Andrews, of the university’s department of biomedical science who led the work, said: “This study is a major step forward.

“The possibility of using embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine is now on the horizon, but in order to produce the quantities needed for widespread treatment, cells must be grown on a large scale over long periods of time.

“Genetic mutations can spontaneously occur in the cells over this time, which could have serious consequences for recipients, such as the development of cancer.

“This new study will help us understand why, how and when these changes happen and eventually help us to grow cells which we know are safe for patients.”

The study, part of the International Stem Cell Initiative, a worldwide project involving 20 countries, took three years to carry out and analysed more than 100 cell lines from 38 laboratories worldwide.

Scientists analysed the stem cells after they had differentiated into specific types of cells and then again several months later. Their research showed most remained normal but in some cells genetic changes appeared.

It is likely that these genetic changes allow the cells to grow better and in one case the research was able to identify a particular gene likely to cause the effect.