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Stem cells for babies and their surgeons: The future is now
Samuel M Zuber1, Tracy C Grikscheit1
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|December 1, 2018
Summary
Pediatric surgeons can advance stem cell therapies for children. Researchers are developing induced pluripotent stem cell treatments for enteric neuropathies like Hirschsprung disease, aiming for safe clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Pediatric surgeons play a crucial role in translating basic science, including stem cell therapies, into clinical practice.
- Creative problem-solving and technical expertise are vital for addressing pediatric challenges.
- Understanding stem and progenitor cells is essential for advancing treatments for infants and children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of pediatric surgeons in the advancement of stem cell therapies.
- To introduce the potential of cellular therapies derived from stem and progenitor cells for pediatric applications.
- To describe the development of an induced pluripotent stem cell therapy for enteric neuropathies.
Main Methods:
- Developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapy.
- Focusing on enteric neuropathies, specifically Hirschsprung disease.
- Collaborating with surgeons and scientists to establish safe clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Induced pluripotent stem cell therapy shows promise for treating pediatric enteric neuropathies.
- The research aims to facilitate progress in cellular therapies for infants.
- Goals include establishing safe clinical trials and meeting regulatory standards.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric surgeons are key partners in advancing stem cell research and application.
- Induced pluripotent stem cell therapy offers a potential future treatment for conditions like Hirschsprung disease.
- Balancing patient needs with unknown risks is critical when developing new therapies for children.
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