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Review
. 2016 Jul;9(4):533-47.
doi: 10.1177/1756283X16642190. Epub 2016 Apr 25.

Stem cell-based therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: promises and pitfalls

Natalie E Duran  1 , Daniel W Hommes  2
Affiliations
Review

Stem cell-based therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: promises and pitfalls

Natalie E Duran et al. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, often relapsing, condition that deeply impacts the quality of life for many patients. Although there have been significant advances in medical treatments, a large proportion of patients become refractory to available therapeutic options. Stem-cell therapy through hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSCs) is a promising therapeutic option for severe refractory cases especially when surgery is not feasible. In HSC transplantation, the objective is to destroy the 'autoreactive' immune cells responsible for disease chronicity, and to re-establish gut tolerance to gut microbes. In perianal Crohn's disease (CD), the objective is to deposit MSCs locally in fistulizing tracts to down-regulate the local immune response and induce wound healing. Results from upcoming and ongoing clinical trials will set the path of these novel therapeutic options that have the capability to successfully treat severe refractory Crohn's patients.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; hematopoietic stem cells; inflammatory bowel disease; mesenchymal stem cells; stem-cell therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Autologous stem-cell transplantation.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
HSCT Care PathwayTM. ANC, absolute neutrophil count.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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