Clinical Trials with Stem Cells in Digestive Diseases and Future Perspectives

Tae II Kim

doi:10.4166/kjg.2011.58.3.139

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Kim: Clinical Trials with Stem Cells in Digestive Diseases and Future Perspectives

Review Article

Korean J Gastroenterol 2011;58(3):139-143.

Published online: 4 October 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2011.58.3.139

Clinical Trials with Stem Cells in Digestive Diseases and Future Perspectives

Tae II Kim

Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Tae Il Kim, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 250, Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel: +82-2-2228-1965, Fax: +82-2-393-6884, E-mail: taeilkim@yuhs.ac

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Many techniques for isolation, expansion and handling of stem cells are being developed rapidly, and preclinical evidence has shown the possibility to use this technology for refractory diseases in the near future. Among refractory digestive diseases, Crohn's disease and liver cirrhosis may be two main diseases where stem cell therapy can be applied for anti-inflammation and regeneration of tissue. Currently, with respect to these two diseases, clinical trials using hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue have shown some evidence of clinical benefits to immune modulation, suppression of inflammation and regeneration of functional cells. However, for the development of practical stem cell therapy, we need more data on underlying mechanisms, effective subpopulation of stem cells and its sources, and effective parameters for monitoring and estimation. With technical advances, the research on embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells will also contribute to the new therapeutic strategies for digestive regenerative medicine. In the future, a variety of stem cell therapies may be therapeutic options for refractory digestive diseases, but many technical challenges remain to be solved.

Keywords: Stem cell, Clinical trial, Digestive system disease, Crohn's disease, Liver cirrhosis

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