Table 1. . Summary of the features and risks of unproven stem cell and regenerative medicine intervention industry.

Risks to patients and society	Ref.
Aggressive marketing by clinics directly to consumers using company websites and blogs, social media accounts and patient seminars.	[22–31]
Advertisements about unproven stem cell and regenerative medicine interventions marketed as low risk, high benefits, safe and effective, cutting-edge, innovative and natural.	[22,23,25–30,32,33]
Some commercial products do not contain stem cells but are marketed under the broader label of ‘stem cell therapy.’
Marketing strategies include the use of patient and celebrity testimonials, clinical trial registration, technical language, obtaining accreditation, collaborating with scientific establishments, incorrect referencing of scientific information, and claiming commercial activities are supported by published preclinical and clinical studies to showcase scientific legitimacy.	[6,22,23,26–30,34–37]
Clinics may also actively promote distrust of regulators and conventional medical establishments.	[31,34,35,38–40]
Unqualified physicians and clinicians providing stem cell and regenerative interventions to patients.	[41,42]
Physical, emotional and economic harms including blindness, tumors, lesions, death, emotional distress and financial loss.	[43,44]
Concerns about informed consent and patient confusion.	[45,46]
Confusion in the general public about the state of stem cell science (hype).
Possible decreased trust in legitimate scientific translation of regenerative medicine products and services.	[14]