Stem Cells, Clearly Understanding stem cells
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Advanced glossary

The language of stem cells, explained precisely.

This page brings together terms that are often used too loosely in the debate about stem cells. Each entry comes with a cautious interpretive note.

FormatDefinition, note, source
UseReducing ambiguity in terminology
LimitationThe glossary does not replace the clinical context

Method

GlossaryCriteria

How to read the definitions

Definition

I use definitions taken from NIH, NIGMS, MedlinePlus or established academic glossaries.

Interpretive note

I add a short note when a term is often twisted for commercial purposes or used ambiguously.

Limitation

A glossary definition does not replace the specific clinical, regulatory or experimental context.

Key terms

TerminologyDefinitions

Glossary

Stem cell

A cell with the ability to self-renew and to generate more specialized cells.

Interpretive note: the term on its own says nothing about clinical evidence or therapeutic indication.

Source: NIH Stem Cell Basics

Self-renewal

The ability of a stem cell to produce new cells similar to itself while maintaining the stem cell pool.

Source: NIH

Differentiation

The process by which a cell acquires more specialized characteristics and functions.

Source: NIGMS glossary

Pluripotent

Able to give rise to many cell types of the adult body.

Interpretive note: pluripotent does not automatically mean usable as a therapy.

Source: NIH

Adult or somatic stem cell

An undifferentiated cell found in a mature tissue, able to self-renew and to generate specialized cells of that tissue.

Interpretive note: it is often wrongly presented as a synonym for any regenerative procedure.

Source: National Academies glossary

iPSC

Somatic cells reprogrammed in the laboratory into a state similar to pluripotency.

Interpretive note: they are crucial for research and modeling, but are not in themselves a routine therapy.

Source: NIGMS

Autologous

Cells or tissues derived from the same individual.

Interpretive note: autologous does not automatically mean safe or effective.

Source: National Academies glossary

Clinical trial

An investigation in human subjects designed to test the safety, pharmacological effects or efficacy of a product or intervention.

Interpretive note: the fact that a trial exists does not mean the treatment is already the standard of care.

Source: National Academies glossary

Organoid

A three-dimensional model grown in vitro that reproduces some structural and functional aspects of a tissue or organ.

Interpretive note: an organoid is not a synonym for a complete organ and should not be confused with a clinical therapy.

Reference source: organoid literature / this site's timeline

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)

In Italian: cellule stromali mesenchimali. Multipotent cell populations with the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage and adipose tissue, often simplified in everyday language as “mesenchymal stem cells”.

Interpretive note: it is precisely on this term that marketing is especially confusing.

Source: National Academies glossary

Minimally manipulated

In Italian: minimamente manipolato. Cell processing that does not alter the relevant biological characteristics of the tissue or cells.

Interpretive note: the term is also important from a regulatory and commercial point of view.

Source: National Academies glossary

Advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP)

A medicine for human use based on genes, tissues or cells. In the EU, it includes gene therapy medicines, somatic cell therapy medicines and tissue-engineered medicines.

Interpretive note: the stem cell medicines authorized in the EU fall into this category and are assessed by the EMA through a centralized procedure.

Source: EMA

Gene therapy

A medicine that contains genes with a therapeutic, preventive or diagnostic effect. In blood stem cell therapies, the gene is added, or the DNA modified, in the laboratory in the patient's cells, which are then infused back into the patient.

Interpretive note: adding a gene (as in Waskyra) and modifying the genome with gene editing (as in Casgevy) are different techniques.

Source: EMA

Conditional marketing authorization

An authorization granted in the EU on less complete clinical data than usual, when the benefit of having the medicine available right away outweighs the risk. It is valid for one year and can be renewed every year.

Interpretive note: Japan's “conditional and time-limited” approval is a different system: efficacy must be confirmed within a set period, and a product can be withdrawn if it fails to do so.

Source: EMA