World first: Stem cell therapy for (ape) arthritis

What's the news: A gorilla named Liesel had her arthritis treated via stem cell therapy, a first in a primate.

Why should we believe it: This news comes from the University of Sheffield in the UK. Scientists from the university collaborated with zoo keepers in Budapest to a treat an elderly gorilla named Liesel, who suffered from arthritis.

The scientists injected a mesenchymal stem cell therapy, based on cells isolated from another gorilla, into Liesel's joints. Result: Liesel seems to be doing well, and the scientists are monitoring her to see how the stem cell therapy takes.

Why this is a big deal: Stem cell treatments for arthritis in dogs and horses have been tried successfully in recent years. But this treatment was the first stem cell treatment for arthritis in a primate.

So what's next: As I wrote a couple weeks ago, stem cells first appeared as a promising medical technology decades ago. But in spite of unregulated and suspect stem cell clinics popping up around the world, there is still not a single approved stem cell therapy in humans.

That might soon change. StemcellX, a company by scientists tied to this gorilla project, is now working on developing stem cell therapy for arthritis in humans. Let's hope the technology finally catches to the promises that have been floating around for decades.