Stem-cell therapy is a revolutionary frontier in modern medicine, offering enormous capacity to transform the treatment landscape of numerous debilitating illnesses and injuries. This review examines the revolutionary frontier of treatments utilizing stem cells, highlighting the distinctive abilities of stem cells to undergo regeneration and specialized cell differentiation into a wide variety of phenotypes. This paper aims to guide researchers, physicians, and stakeholders through the intricate terrain of stem-cell therapy, examining the processes, applications, and challenges inherent in utilizing stem cells across diverse medical disciplines. The historical journey from foundational contributions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to recent breakthroughs, including ESC isolation and iPSC discovery, has set the stage for monumental leaps in medical science. Stem cells’ regenerative potential spans embryonic, adult, induced pluripotent, and perinatal stages, offering unprecedented therapeutic opportunities in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and tissue damage. However, difficulties, such as immunological rejection, tumorigenesis, and precise manipulation of stem-cell behavior, necessitate comprehensive exploration and innovative solutions. This manuscript summarizes recent biotechnological advancements, critical trial evaluations, and emerging technologies, providing a nuanced understanding of the triumphs, difficulties, and future trajectories in stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Future directions, including precision medicine integration, immune modulation strategies, advancements in gene-editing technologies, and bioengineering synergy, offer a roadmap in stem cell treatment. The focus on stem-cell therapy’s potential highlights its significant influence on contemporary medicine and points to a future in which individualized regenerative therapies will alleviate various medical disorders.

Coronavirus disease-2019 COVID-19 exhibits marked inter-individual variability in susceptibility and clinical outcomes, suggesting a role for host genetic factors. Vitamin D exerts immunomodulatory effects through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and genetic variation in the VDR gene may influence host responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to investigate the association between VDR-gene polymorphisms—FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232), and BsmI (rs1544410)—and COVID-19 susceptibility in the Kurdish population. The FokI polymorphism was significantly associated with COVID-19 susceptibility. Interestingly, the GG-genotype was more frequent among Patients than controls and was associated with increased odds of infection (OR = 9.00; 95% CI: 3.22–25.15; p < 0.0001), whereas the AG-genotype was associated with reduced susceptibility (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.14–0.76; p = 0.001). Additionally, the G-allele was also more prevalent in Patients than controls (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.21–2.89; p = 0.004). Similarly, the TaqI TT-genotype was more frequent among Patients and was associated with increased susceptibility (OR = 36.0; 95% CI: 11.2–115.8; p < 0.0001). In contrast, the ApaI AA-genotype was less frequent among Patients and was associated with reduced odds of COVID-19 susceptibility under a recessive model (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03–0.68; p = 0.003). Moreover, the BsmI polymorphism was monomorphic in both groups and therefore not informative. Genetic variation in the VDR gene, particularly at the FokI, TaqI, and ApaI loci, was associated with COVID-19 susceptibility in the case–control study, while BsmI showed no variations. These findings suggest that genetic variation in the VDR gene may contribute to inter-individual differences in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Kurdish population. Larger studies incorporating functional validation and detailed clinical data are required to confirm these associations.

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors in adults, with a high level of recurrence and mortality. Their complex biology and adaptive resistance mechanisms pose major obstacles to existing treatment strategies. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), are crucial in tumor development and progression. Small RNA sequencing technology was performed in 25 patients with high-grade gliomas (HGGs) to analyze ncRNA expression in gliomas compared to normal adjacent tissues (NATs) aiming to elucidate their possible roles in these malignancies. Samples from patients with gliomas were examined, revealing an overall upregulation of ncRNAs. Specific ncRNA classes, including miRNAs, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) showed notable shifts in abundance between tumor and normal samples. Among the upregulated miRNAs, a set of top five, such as miR-21, miR-221, miR-1321, miR-1306-5p, and miR-374a-5p, were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in a cohort of 17 low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and 52 HGGs. These miRNAs are associated with critical oncogenic pathways and correlated with a worse prognosis. This study expanded the understanding of glioma biology and further confirmed the role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis, supporting their potential use as novel possible biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Moreover, it provided an integrated analysis of multiple ncRNA classes, offering validation across both LGG and HGG, and uniquely incorporating a Kurdish cohort.