Current guidelines, challenges and future recommendations for regulation of stem cell research and therapy: a commentary

Rebecca Shin-Yee Wong; Sathiya Maran; Bey Hing Goh

doi:10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.04.076

Current guidelines, challenges and future recommendations for regulation of stem cell research and therapy: a commentary

Cytotherapy. 2024 May 3:S1465-3249(24)00690-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.04.076. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rebecca Shin-Yee Wong¹, Sathiya Maran², Bey Hing Goh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Education, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Sunway Biofunctional Molecules Discovery Centre (SBMDC), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address: rebeccaw@sunway.edu.my.
² School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Electronic address: sathiya.maran@monash.edu.
³ Sunway Biofunctional Molecules Discovery Centre (SBMDC), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: goh.bey.hing@monash.edu.

PMID: 38775774
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.04.076

Abstract

In recent years, Malaysia has seen a surge in stem cell therapy for various medical conditions. However, the regulation of stem cell research and therapy in Malaysia faces several challenges such as the emergence of unregulated clinics and a lack of specific legislation. Some urgent measures, including enactment of specific laws, strengthened monitoring, as well as increased public awareness and education, are crucial. Therefore, stem cell therapy regulation requires concerted efforts by the policymakers, regulator bodies and healthcare professionals. This commentary discusses the current guidelines and challenges in Malaysian stem cell therapy regulation and proposes some future recommendations that could pave the way for responsible progress of stem cell research and therapy globally.

Keywords: challenges; guidelines; recommendations; regulatory policy; stem cell research; stem cell therapy.

Publication types

Letter