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Stem Cell Transplantation for Crohn’s Disease

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Abstract

From the first case of bone marrow transplantation for Crohn’s disease in 1993, numerous studies have shown that stem cell transplantation has potential treatment effect for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The source of stem cells might include hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) peripheral or from the bone marrow. Further, this chapter addressed both the clinical and experimental results on the autologous or allogeneic HSC transplantation, and systemic or local MSC transplantation for CD. Ongoing or released phase I, II, and III data have all been summarized in this chapter. Later, the possible mechanisms such as mucosa healing and immune regulation were addressed. In particular, unpublished date from our group for the injection way of stem cell for the treatment of colitis has been shown. Though encouraging but inclusive from current studies, more questions like long-term, phase III, RCT studies are appealing. Best ratio of cell type and best injection way, as well as the possible issue of carcinogenic, have also been pointed out in the perspective. All in all, stem cell transplantation might be a revolution treatment for the IBD patients, but needs more confirmative, in-depth, and long-term studies from both clinical and experimental.

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Liang, J., Wu, K. (2015). Stem Cell Transplantation for Crohn’s Disease. In: Zhao, R. (eds) Stem Cells: Basics and Clinical Translation. Translational Medicine Research, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7273-0_18

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