PubReading [276] - Impact of 3D cell culture on bone regeneration potential of mesenchymal stromal cells - M. Bicer, G. Cottrell and D. Widera

As populations age across the world, osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures are becoming the most prevalent degenerative bone diseases. More than 75 million patients suffer from osteoporosis in the USA, the EU and Japan. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the number of patients affected by osteoporosis will increase by a third by 2050. Although conventional therapies including bisphosphonates, calcitonin and oestrogen-like drugs can be used to treat degenerative diseases of the bone, they are often associated with serious side effects including the development of oesophageal cancer, ocular inflammation, severe musculoskeletal pain and osteonecrosis of the jaw. The use of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells/mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a possible alternative therape ...