LAUSR

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) continue to incite controversy in the medical profession, are highly sought after by the public, incite excitement in commercial companies, and are seen as a lucrative income generator in clinics. This interesting analysis of ADSC registered trials as well as registered intellectual properties further illustrates these points.1 The article confirms the paucity of good quality trials, despite 1250 registered ones, almost none seem to plan long-term follow up of the effect. Additionally, there is no agreed standard methodology of assessment of the quality of the ADSC. This is in spite of the large number of patents put in for separation and concentration technologies, as well as innovative applications. The explanation of regulatory landscape is very enlightening, illustrating the great deal of variability in different continents. In some cases, vagueness and lack of clarity in regulation has enabled potential unscrupulous misinterpretations and misuses false promotion of services. An exemplar regulation is in Japan, where there is a specific section for regenerative medicine. This not only helps to promote innovation and genuine effect and uses, but also reduces the back-street rogue clinics and should be a lesson to regulatory bodies in the United States and European Union. This unique article gives ASJ readers a comprehensive overview of global landscape in ADSC field, trials, and regulation. Disclosures