Prof.
Slavin at CTCI is a cell therapy pioneer with more than 25 years of
experience in clinical application of procedures involving the use of
blood lymphocytes at the patient’s bedside.
Cell
therapy technologies and methods have already started to play an
important role in the practice of medicine for both malignant and
non-malignant disorders as well as for regenerative medicine.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with reduced intensity
conditioning is replacing out-of-date conventional bone marrow
transplants which use aggressive conditioning, and use of lymphocytes to
eliminate cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy is becoming a most
important tool for eradication of cancer in patients with minimal
residual disease. Cell therapy is bound to become a part of routine
medical practice. At present, different kinds of cell therapies
(including CTCI’s cell therapies) are available in different countries
and locations, depending upon local regulations.
While
controversy about the potential uses of embryonic sources of stem cells
persists, none of these is clinically relevant yet. Meanwhile, adult –
that is to say post-natal – sources are being used clinically for an
increasing number of indications. Stem cells can be derived from sources
such as the placenta, cord blood and fat removed by liposuction. Stem
cells can also be genetically modified prior to transplantation.
Cell
therapy technologies overlap with those of gene therapy, cancer
vaccines, drug delivery, and tissue engineering and regenerative
medicine. Various types of cells are currently used for treatment of
malignant and non-malignant indications and for regenerative medicine.
The most important clinical applications to date are diseases of the
nervous system and cancer. Others include orthopedic indications for
replacement of cartilage and new bone formation or treatment of complex
fractures, cardiac disorders (myocardial infarction and heart failure),
diabetes mellitus, genetic disorders, and repair of wounds of the skin
and soft tissues as well as for esthetic indications.
Regulatory
and ethical issues involving cell therapy are important and may limit
the use of some of the procedures in certain countries. Safety is an
essential consideration for any new therapy and regulations for cell
therapy are important for safe clinical application of innovative
modalities.
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