AFL players are increasingly turning to stem cell treatment, despite warnings the therapy is experimental and unregulated.

Sydney has pioneered use of the controversial injection therapy with star Adam Goodes, but the Herald Sun can reveal Victorian-based players are also using it.

One Melbourne club is believed to be leading the charge with the treatment, which can cost $5000-$15,000.

Backers say it has the potential to regrow cartilage and tendons, thereby extending careers, but concerns have been voiced about long-term effects, including the potential to grow cancer cells.

Professor of stem cell science at Melbourne University, Martin Pera, said the therapy was “experimental medicine”.

“We don’t know whether it works and whether it’s safe,” Professor Pera said.

“Stem cells do have promise in conditions like arthritis. Potentially they could be used to offer some benefit, how good that benefit is and how long lasting is not certain.

“In general the type of stems cells that are used to treat arthritis have a reasonable safety profile, but things can go wrong.

“And the bottom line is this is not standard therapy. It’s something that should be done in the context of a clinical trial where things are very carefully controlled.

“These treatments should not be offered outside of the context of a trial and in fact they should be subject to more regulation.”

media_camera Adam Cooney closes in on Adam Goodes. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Respected sports physician Dr Peter Larkins shares misgivings about the therapy.

“What happens in sport is often money is no object to people and I know that there are clubs who have been using stem cell treatments on players with chronic injury in the hope that those players might get some benefit,” Larkins said.

“The downside of stem cells is we’re not sure of what the long-term effects of stem cell injection therapy is because stem cells are capable of producing any sort of tissue, including the potential for tumour and cancer.”

Brownlow medallist Goodes has had stem cell treatment twice on his knee, in January and November last year, with Sydney’s club doctor Nathan Gibbs declaring it saved the veteran’s career.

In addition to other Swans players, Gibbs told the Herald Sun he has treated players from Victorian teams at the recommendation of their club doctor.

The Goodes treatment involved using cells — stem cells and other cells — from his abdominal fat that were then injected into his injured knee.

“We use it on more and more players,” Gibbs said.

“If Adam Goodes doesn’t have stem cells to regrow the cartilage in his knee, which it did do, he wouldn’t have played last year or been in the Grand Final.”

AFL Medical Officers Association boss Hugh Seward said there was a divide between clubs on stem cells.

“It’s used by a number of clubs for managing very difficult joint injuries,” Seward said.

“There are some that are strong proponents of this and others that aren’t. It appears that those who have used it have had beneficial results but it’s not yet reached mainstream use.

“There’s still uncertainty, but it is being used quite a bit.”

Stem cell therapy is not banned under the WADA drugs code provided it is used to treat injuries and not to enhance performance.

It is not prohibited by the AFL.

“The AFL’s advice to players is that you need to have a detailed discussion with your club doctor and have informed consent,” AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is conducting a formal review on autologous stem cell therapies — cells taken from and readministered to the same person — including risk factors.

“Concerns about these therapies had been expressed ... from a range of stakeholders, including those within the industry and experts in the field, which has prompted the review,” the TGA told the Herald Sun.

The TGA does not currently regulate autologous stem cell treatment.