Stem cell ‘therapy’ advertisements in China: Infodemic, regulations and recommendations

Abstract

As early as February 2020, the World Health Organization warned about the spread of false and misleading information and the adverse impact an 'infodemic' 1 might have on efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 While scientists, health professionals and pharmaceutical companies have been ceaselessly working to develop viable diagnostic methods, treatments and vaccines, advertisements for unproven and unapproved products have appeared on the Internet, beginning shortly after the onset of the pandemic. 3 Among the various advertised treatments for COVID-19, stem cell-based interventions are of particular concern, 4 partly

Ethical and regulatory issues of stem cell-derived 3-dimensional organoid and tissue therapy for personalised regenerative medicine

“…Some other stem cell treatments currently available may be compliant with FDA rules but are not approved. Similar issues have been reported elsewhere, including in Europe and China [ 14 , 15 ].…”

The COVID-19 Infodemic: Mechanism, Impact, and Counter-Measures—A Review of Reviews

“…Irrational beliefs including prejudice, paranoia, extremism, racism, conspiracy theories, and faith in magical cures played a role [23][24][25]. An example of inappropriate marketing was the direct-to-consumer targeted online advertisement of unproven and unauthorized stem-cell-based interventions in China [26]. Senders of misinformation can include individuals who deny scientific consensus on health issues [22].…”

“…Unscientific cures and unverified medicines promoted by politicians and fake doctors received substantial attention [21]. The promotion of unauthorized and unproven indications for stem-cell administrations in China attracted patients from within the country and abroad [26]. The infodemic interfered with communication channels to the public and affected appropriate adherence of the population to meaningful pandemic countermeasures [40].…”

“…Partnerships between the public health sector and technology companies, ideally before the occurrence of a crisis, can be beneficial [41]. The awareness of regulatory and administrative measures provides orientation, it might be necessary to close gaps within this domain if deficiencies are being identified [26]. As an infodemic can be a global phenomenon, international collaboration among researches and regulators is warranted [26].…”

“…The spread of misinformation with regard to prevention, treatment, risk factors, transmission mode, complications, and vaccines was observed in large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases since the year 2000 including Ebola, and conspiracy theories particularly involved vaccines [33]. With regard to stem cell research, both researchers and regulators have been fighting against misleading advertising of unproven interventions for decades [26].…”