Credits: Social Media
Cell therapy for IBD: A promising new treatment for Crohns disease
New treatments are on the horizon for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
Current pharmacological options for Crohns disease arent as effective as you might hope. More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of sufferers will require surgery at some point in their lives. For ulcerative colitis, that figure is 45 per cent.
After being diagnosed with IBD, medicinally induced remission can be short-lived. Replacing bowel sections with an ostomy bag or j-pouch is the last port of call. Surgery saves lives but, if at all possible its always preferable to avoid going under the knife.
Latest research suggests cell therapy could pave the route for better treatment.
What is cell therapy for IBD?
Cell therapy isnt a new treatment in the broader sense. It dates to the 19th century, when experimental scientists injected animal tissue to treat human illness.
Unsurprisingly this failed but the concept was born and implanting viable human cells has become commonplace. For example, bone marrow transplants on the NHS replace damaged cells with healthy ones. Until now, this type of cell therapy was associated with cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
NHS services dont currently include new stem cell treatments for Crohns disease as part of standard protocols. Steroids and chemotherapy are the go-to drugs before surgical routes.
However, some UK clinical trials using stem cell therapy to fight IBD took place in 2018, with positive signs for the future.
In 2020, what are the new treatments for Crohns disease?
Efforts from the NHS and other trials have shown promise. However, problems arose such as the rapid elimination of cells from the body and the possible development of tumours.
The University Of The Basque Country and Harvard are now collaborating to address issues seen in previous trials. A recent study, which was part of the initiative, saw encouraging results with cell therapy. Animal ulcerative colitis trials are now under way, with human guinea pigs a further step from there.
Lead researcher Dr Rosa Hern�ndez explains her recent findings: Besides stem cells, the system incorporates other elements, such as biomaterials and microparticles. In addition, the persistence of the cells in the body and the biosafety of the therapy can be improved.
Some rare good news regarding Crohns disease treatment
2020 might seem rife with reasons to worry. NHS waiting times are too large to fathom. Meanwhile, covid-19 has caused charities such as Crohns and Colitis UK to cancel all their research grants for this year.
With continued bad news for IBD sufferers, these latest findings offer some consolation and hope. These new treatments for Crohns disease should become available in the not-too-distant future.�
- Gymnast’s dazzling routine steals the show in Toyota advert
- Opinion: 10-minute Liverpool cameo shows that Klopp’s long wait to sign attacker was worth it
- Could Phil Jackson replace Doc Rivers at the Clippers?
- What happened to this rapper’s babymama?
- Former Benfica coach raves over Manchester City new-boy Dias
