[Stem cell transplantation in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases]

The stem cells with self-renewal ability are capable to form one or more cell types. They will be in the target of cell and gene therapy because of their multipotency and easy retrieval. Application of adult mesenchymal, neuronal, epidermal and haematopoietic stem cell can be favourable in the treatment of cardiac (myocardial infarction), bone (osteoarthritis), neurological (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) and hematological (hemophilia, thrombocytopenia) disorders. Authors summarize the knowledge in connection with their application in the therapy of gastrointestinal diseases. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been successful for the treatment of refractory Crohn's disease, as well as in selected group of celiac patients. Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been proved beneficial in the prevention of liver fibrotic process. It will gain more grounds in the treatment of autoimmune liver diseases: autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis in the future. Well-designed, multicentric, prospective studies are needed to confirm the results of case reports and clinical studies with small group of patients.