title: Stem cell-based therapies in inflammatory bowel disease: promises and pitfalls.
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.
authors.affiliation: Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Melvin and Bren Simon Digestive Diseases Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Avenue #2338D, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hommes
keywords: Crohn’s disease; hematopoietic stem cells; inflammatory bowel disease; mesenchymal stem cells; stem-cell therapy