TERMIS 2021 | Identifying issues associated with HSCs

Ira Espuny-Camacho, PhD, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium, provides an overview of potential challenges in using hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Whilst HSCs can be easily manufactured and are versatile, HSCs derived from embryonic stem cells pose a problem due to ethical concerns. The risk of tumorigenesis as a result of epigenetic instability and immunogenicity are additional issues that need to be overcome, where developing autologous HSC-based therapies will be especially advantageous compared to allogeneic therapies. This interview took place at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS 2021).