eCM (Eur Cell Mater / e Cells & Materials) eCM Open Access Scientific Journal
 ISSN:1473-2262         NLM:100973416 (link)         DOI:10.22203/eCM

2014   Volume No 27s – pages 1-4

Title: Cell therapy for bone repair: narrowing the gap between vision and practice

Author: JP Stegemann, S Verrier, F Gebhard, MW Laschke, I Martin, H Simpson, T Miclau

Address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA

E-mail: jpsteg at umich.edu

Key Words: Bone grafting, bone tissue engineering, cell transplantation, progenitor cells, non-unions, osteonecrosis, spinal fusion.

Publication date: May 6th 2014

Abstract: This position paper summarises a vision of how cell-based therapies can be applied clinically to regenerate bone, as well as the steps needed to narrow the gap between that vision and clinical reality. It is a result of the presentations and discussion of the “Cell Therapy for Bone Repair” breakout session at the AO Foundation Symposium “Where Science Meets Clinics” in Davos, Switzerland from September 5-7, 2013. Participants included leaders from science, medicine, and industry from around the world. The session included clinical and scientific presentations, as well as an extended discussion among participants. Bone tissue has an innate regenerative capacity that in most cases allows functional healing at damage sites. However, there are a number of serious conditions in which bone does not fully heal and the result is significant morbidity. The clinical need for new therapies is clear, and the breakout session participants were enthusiastic about the potential impact on cell-based therapies for bone repair in the clinic. However, they also recognised the significant challenges that face the development of commercially viable cell therapy products. This paper outlines a vision in which patient selection is based on expected therapeutic outcome to create a consistently successful, cost-effective, cell-based therapy for bone repair. The need for a more complete understanding of bone repair, a better infrastructure for preclinical studies, and the need for collaboration among stakeholders is discussed.

Article download: Pages 1-4 (PDF file)
DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v027sa01