Stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

This article reviews stem cell-based strategies for spinal cord injury repair, and practical issues concerning their translation to the clinic. Recent progress in the stem cell field includes clinically compliant culture conditions and directed differentiation of both embryonic stem cells and somatic stem cells. We provide a brief overview of the types of stem cells under evaluation, comparing their advantages and disadvantages for use in human clinical trials. We review the practical considerations and risks that must be addressed before human treatments can begin. With a growing understanding of these practical issues, stem cell biology, and spinal cord injury pathophysiology, stem cell-based therapies are moving closer to clinical application.