Is an Arthritis Vaccine Using Genetically Reprogrammed Stem Cells on the Horizon?

These “designer” cells, says Dr. Guilak, point to a future vaccine. “With this research, we have laid the groundwork for a cell-based vaccine that can be used to treat a diverse array of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The sky is the limit.”

Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd, is a freelance medical editor and writer based in the Greater New Orleans area.

Contributors’ note: This work was supported by The Arthritis Foundation, the Nancy Taylor Foundation for Chronic Diseases, Shriners Hospitals for Children, the National Institutes of Health and the AO Foundation.

Reference

Brunger JM, Zutshi A, Willard VP, et al. Genome engineering of stem cells for autonomously regulated, closed-loop delivery of biologic drugs challenges and opportunities. Stem Cell Reports. 2017 May 9;8(5):1202–1213.

Recent breakthroughs in stem cell-based treatments for arthritis may help delay joint replacement for some patients. Farshid Guilak, PhD, described the methods for creating bioartificial cartilage, its implications for inflammation, disease flare and more.

Is a novel treatment breakthrough on the horizon?

Despite the innovations of new biologics and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, a large unmet need remains for patients with rheumatic autoimmune disease. Treatment remains limited for many conditions, including for conditions with a dim prognosis, such as systemic sclerosis.1 One promising treatment avenue is hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we provide background on HSCT for severe…

WASHINGTON, D.C.—For patients with osteoarthritis and other age-related musculoskeletal diseases, treatment with mesenchymal stem cells may soon offer a potent way to slow and repair degenerative signs of disease. This is the goal, a goal that is moving from the laboratory to the clinic as results from ongoing randomized clinical trials show the safety and…

Reference

Smart, Stem Cell-Based Implants May Revolutionize the Treatment of Arthritis

Cellular Therapy of Autoimmune Disease

HSCT for Severe Autoimmune Diseases

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy May Help Slow, Repair Degenerative Signs of Osteoarthritis, Musculoskeletal Disease

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