Online marketing practices of regenerative medicine clinics in US-Mexico border region: a web surveillance study

Abstract

Introduction The potential of regenerative medicine to improve human health has led to the rapid expansion of stem cell clinics throughout the world with varying levels of regulation and oversight. This has led to a market ripe for stem cell tourism, with Tijuana, Mexico, as a major destination. In this study, we characterize the online marketing, intervention details, pricing of services, and assess potential safety risks through web surveillance of regenerative medicine clinics marketing services in Tijuana. Methods We conducted structured online search queries from March to April 2019 using 296 search terms in English and Spanish on two search engines (Google and Bing) to identify websites engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of regenerative medicine services. We performed content analysis to characterize three categories of interest: online presence, tokens of scientific legitimacy, and intervention details. Results Our structured online searches resulted in 110 unique websites located in Tijuana corresponding to 76 confirmed locations. These clinics’ online presence consisted of direct-to-consumer advertising mainly through a dedicated website (94.5%) or Facebook page (65.5%). The vast majority of these websites (99.1%) did not mention any affiliation to an academic institutions or other overt tokens of scientific legitimacy. Most clinics claimed autologous tissue was the source of treatments (67.3%) and generally did not specify route of administration. Additionally, of the Tijuana clinics identified, 13 claimed licensing, though only 1 matched with available licensing information. Conclusions Regenerative medicine clinics in Tijuana have a significant online presence using direct-to-consumer advertising to attract stem-cell tourism clientele in a bustling border region between Mexico and the USA. This study adds to existing literature evidencing the unregulated nature of online stem cell offerings and provides further evidence of the need for regulatory harmonization, particularly to address stem cell services being offered online across borders.

Multifactor Quality and Safety Analysis of Antimicrobial Drugs Sold by Online Pharmacies That Do Not Require a Prescription: Multiphase Observational, Content Analysis, and Product Evaluation Study

“…After collating search engine results by cataloging returned URL or hyperlinks, we first eliminated all duplicate results and then conducted website content analysis to identify and classify websites that met the criteria for online pharmacies —websites that purport to operate as an internet pharmacy and include an e-commerce shopping cart to enable direct-to-consumer purchase (see Multimedia Appendix 1 for other website classifications assessed) [ 6 , 8 , 19 , 20 ]. URLs or websites that were classified as online pharmacies were then manually reviewed to determine if they required a valid prescription to place an order.…”

Searching for information about stem cells online in an age of artificial intelligence: How should the stem cell community respond?

“…Online direct-to-consumer advertising has been pivotal in facilitating and expanding various marketplaces for putative stem cell therapies for decades ( Berger et al., 2016 ; Chavez et al., 2021 ). As people ask what is colloquially called “Dr.…”

Stem cell sources and characterization in the development of cell-based products for treating retinal disease: An NEI Town Hall report

“…Horrifically, several individuals have been blinded [ 80 ]. In addition, the growing demand for cell therapies has led to “transplant tourism” whereby patients undergo stem cell treatments in countries with relaxed regulatory oversight [ 81 – 84 ]. Unethical practices including internet-based direct to consumer advertisements of unproven treatments [ 85 ] have led to government attempts to implement changes [ 86 ]; however, it remains unclear whether the infrastructure needed to completely block such unwarranted “treatments” will be available and if such efforts will be successful [ 87 , 88 ].…”