Celebrities investing in anti-aging stem cell treatments despite side effects

Celebrities investing in anti-aging stem cell treatments despite side effects
28 Apr 2024

John Cleese, the acclaimed British actor and comedian, publicly disclosed his use of experimental anti-aging treatments.

In an interview with Saga Magazine, the 84-year-old Monty Python co-creator revealed that he spends approximately £17,000 (₹17.9 lakh) annually on private stem cell therapy.

Despite his youthful appearance, experts warn that such treatments may not only be ineffective, but could also carry significant health risks including cancer.

Private clinics often operate without adequate regulatory oversight
Legal concerns

Private clinics offering stem cell treatments often operate within legal gray areas, particularly in countries like the US and Switzerland.

Anna Couturier from EuroGCT, a European consortium focused on gene and cell therapy information, warns that these clinics may function without adequate regulatory oversight or scientific collaboration.

She also highlighted that they frequently do not disclose their procedures or results, exploiting the public's limited understanding of this intricate science.

Stem cells can self-renew and transform into any cell type
Potential risks

Stem cells, known for their unique ability to self-renew and transform into any cell type in human body, hold promise for repairing damaged or lost tissue.

They have been successfully used to treat leukemia patients by replacing diseased bone marrow, a method that's "tried and tested and proven to work," according to Jon Frampton, a stem cell biologist at the University of Birmingham.

However, experts caution against unproven applications of stem cells in anti-aging treatments due to potential health risks.

Stem cell therapies can cause tumors, inflammation
Cautionary advice

Some stem cell therapies promise to restore facial collagen, despite a lack of substantial evidence supporting these claims.

Frampton warns that without proper control, stem cells can grow uncontrollably and form a tumor known as teratoma.

Darius Widera, a professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the University of Reading, also cautions about risks related to how these cells are administered.