Bridging stem cell research and medicine: a learning health system

Abstract

Stem cells may not systematically obey traditional Phase I-IV clinical translation models. In response, various actors have suggested that stem cell-based medical innovation models could catalyze translation instead. Accordingly, calls were made to adopt more permissive approaches to stem cell translation. Yet, the Phase I-IV paradigm remains the standard within the scientific community. This article seeks to advance the stalemated discussions by proposing an alternative model for consideration. In it, we argue that a stem cell-based learning health system may be able to reconcile these two models. Centered on the acceleration of evidence and knowledge flow, a stem cell-based learning health system could maximize patient retention and data follow-up, thereby promoting inclusive system learning and improvement.