Stem cells for babies and their surgeons: the future is now
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Nov 2018 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Pediatric surgeons are positioned to advance stem cell therapies for congenital conditions, with induced pluripotent stem cells showing promise for treating enteric neuropathies like Hirschsprung disease. The authors emphasize the need for safe clinical trial design that balances therapeutic potential against unknown risks in pediatric populations.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Pediatric surgeons are ideal allies for the translation of basic science including stem cell therapies. In the spirit of Robert E. Gross, of applying creative solutions to pediatric problems with technical expertise, we describe the impending cellular therapies that may be derived from stem and progenitor cells. Understanding the types and capabilities of stem and progenitor cells is important for pediatric surgeons to join and facilitate progress for babies. We are developing an induced pluripotent stem cell therapy for enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung disease that might be helpful for children in the near future. Our goals, which we hope to share with other surgeons and scientists, include working to establish safe clinical trials and meeting regulatory standards in a thoughtful way that balances patients need and unknown risks.