title: In-utero stem cell transplantation: clinical use and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Early evidence suggests that in-utero stem cell transplantation represents a new therapeutic strategy for different congenital disease. Moreover, gene therapy constitutes one of the most promising new approach to treat a wide spectrum of genetic disorders. It was shown that the fetus could represent an ideal recipient because of his immunologic early naiveté in gestation that reduces the risk of immunoreactions. Clinical experience in human fetus was performed in order to treat immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders, hemoglobinopathies and some other genetic diseases. Use of alternative source (i.e., cord blood, placenta, membrane, amniotic fluid, fetal tissue) of stem cell transplanted has been only one of the several strategies to improve donor cell advantages on host stem cell. The present review focused on the clinical use and therapeutic potential of in-utero stem cell transplantation, reporting the outcome of human cases treated and the limits of this therapy and possible future applications.
authors: Telefono Rosso, Teratology Information Service, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sacro Cuore Catholic University, Rome, Italy. marcodesantis@rm.unicatt.it
authors: M
authors: M
authors: De Santis
authors: C
authors: C
authors: De Luca
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Mappa
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Cesari
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Quattrocchi
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Spagnuolo
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Visconti
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Noia
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Caruso
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005333:Fetus / Q000601:surgery*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D011247:Pregnancy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*