The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a great promise in regenerative medicine. So far, several clinical trials are underway and preliminary results are promising with the human embryonic stem cells, their non-reprogrammed counterparts. The experience of the clinical use of iPSC derivatives is extremely limited because of several major safety concerns, but many technological advances in the field of iPSC generate high expectations in the near future to develop new clinical trials with an adapted level of patient safety. New guidelines and several recommendations are edited by researchers and regulatory agencies to guarantee the safety of the iPSC products in a clinical context for medical applications. In this chapter, we review the clinical trials with induced pluripotent stem cells and the main factors affecting the safe translation of iPSC to the clinic and how to overcome these issues by standardization and to control the quality of the clinical-grade iPSC products.
Part of the book: Update on Mesenchymal and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells