…Have you ever wondered if there is a way to manage Crohn’s disease or colitis that goes beyond symptom control and truly supports your body’s natural healing?…
Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis presents significant challenges due to persistent symptoms, flare-ups, and the adverse effects associated with conventional treatments. Regenerative medicine and orthobiologics represent emerging therapeutic strategies that aim to support the body’s natural healing processes and promote tissue regeneration
Regenerative Therapies and Orthobiologics
Orthobiologics include therapies derived from biological substances such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and exosomes. These interventions harness intrinsic regenerative mechanisms to repair damaged tissues [1,2]. Unlike conventional pharmacological approaches, which primarily target symptom management, regenerative medicine focuses on restoring physiological balance, reducing inflammation, and enhancing tissue healing [1,3]
Potential Clinical Benefits
- Immune Modulation: Regenerative therapies may help regulate dysregulated immune responses, potentially reducing inflammation and flare frequency [1,3]
- Intestinal Tissue Repair: Stem cell and other regenerative approaches may contribute to the repair of damaged intestinal mucosa, improving nutrient absorption and overall gastrointestinal function [2,4]
- Symptom Reduction: Clinical evidence indicates that regenerative therapies, including stem cell treatment, can induce clinical remission and facilitate fistula healing in Crohn’s disease [2–4]
- Reduced Dependence on Conventional Medications: Integration of regenerative strategies may allow certain patients to minimize the use of immunosuppressive drugs, thereby decreasing adverse effects [3,4]
Integration with Genetic Profiling
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) testing provide comprehensive insights into individual genetic profiles. Potential applications in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis include:
- Identification of genetic variants associated with disease susceptibility and complications [5,6]
- Estimation of individualized risk using aggregated polygenic scores [7]
- Design of preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to the patient’s genetic and clinical profile [6,7]
Evidence from Recent Research
- Meta-analyses have demonstrated that stem cell therapy significantly improves clinical remission and promotes healing of perianal fistulas, with safety profiles comparable to standard therapies [1,2]
- Studies highlight the anti-inflammatory effects of stem cells and their capacity to promote mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease [1,3]
- Modulation of intestinal stem cell regeneration may be critical for restoring barrier function in ulcerative colitis [5]
Conclusion
Regenerative medicine and orthobiologics offer promising avenues for the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Integration of genetic insights with regenerative approaches may facilitate individualized therapy and improve clinical outcomes
Bibliography
- Dalal J, Goyal A, Singh P. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020;11(1):1–12
- Panés J, García-Olmo D, Van Assche G, et al. Expanded allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease: a phase 3 randomised, double-blind controlled trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10051):1281–90
- Forbes GM, Sturm MJ, Leong RW, et al. A phase 2 study of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells for luminal Crohn’s disease refractory to biologic therapy. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;12(1):64–71
- Lightner AL, Faubion WA. Mesenchymal stem cell injections for Crohn’s perianal fistulas: what we have learned so far. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2017;33(4):226–31
- Clevers H, Bevins CL. Paneth cells: maestros of the small intestinal crypts. Annu Rev Physiol. 2013;75:289–311
- Jostins L, Ripke S, Weersma RK, et al. Host–microbe interactions have shaped the genetic architecture of inflammatory bowel disease. Nature. 2012;491(7422):119–24
- Lewis CM, Vassos E. Polygenic risk scores: from research tools to clinical instruments. Genome Med. 2020;12(1):44
Ready to learn more about stem cell therapy?
At Stemwell, our team of doctors are highly skilled in successfully supporting thousands of people with a range of stem cell treatments. If you would like to learn more about stem cell therapy you can contact us with any questions, or apply today to check your eligibility.
