Clinical translation of tissue-engineered oesophageal grafts: are patients ready for us?

We sought to engage with expert patient/carers to understand attitudes towards use of tissue engineering (TE) for long-gap oesophageal atresia (OA).

An in-person engagement event for 70 patients/parents was held by the OA patient group, TOFS. Attitudes towards TE were assessed before and after a talk on use of TE oesophagi in a pre-clinical OA model. Perceptions were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (median [range]) and compared using Mann-Whitney test.

43 attendees responded; 56% parents/caregivers, 21% patients, 7% healthcare workers, 16% unreported. Most (85%) had some awareness of TE but for 15%, it was a new concept. Attendees were receptive to TE; 89% reported no concerns about growth of their/child(s) cells in a lab and 61% reported no concerns about using animal products. Perceptions of TE significantly improved after the presentation from 4 (2-5, n = 32) to 5 (3-5, n = 28) p < 0.0001, and 96% would like to be involved in focus groups on development of a TE product for use in OA.

Input from key stakeholders is essential to introduction of TE constructs clinically. The overall response to TE constructs was positive, and informs development of an OA-specific focus group to guide translation.