The Potential of Stem Cells as an In Vitro Source of Red Blood Cells for Transfusion

Recent advances have increased excitement about the potential for therapeutic production of red blood cells (RBCs) in vitro. However, generation of RBCs in the large numbers required for transfusion remains a significant challenge. In this article, we summarize recent progress in producing RBCs from various cell sources, and discuss the hurdles that remain for translation into the clinical arena.