[Rationale for cell therapy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease]

Abstract

Optimized use of immunosuppressive and biological therapies in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease can achieve adequate control of the disease in a substantial proportion of patients. However, the lack of effectiveness in a subgroup of severely affected patients unsuitable for surgery has led to new emerging treatment options. In an attempt to "restore the immune system", cell therapy is revolutionizing the treatment possibilities for patients with refractory severe disease. Currently there are two types of cell therapy under investigation with promising preliminary results. The first is based on transplantation of stem cells (hematopoietic or mesenchymal) and the second consists of the application of tolerogenic immune cells. Stem cell transplantation has already been applied in humans in multiple chronic autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, with positive results. However, treatment with tolerogenic immune cells is currently only under investigation in animal models.