According to Jacques Galipeau, MD, professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care and assistant dean for therapeutics discovery and development, a type of cell drawn from certain body tissues shows enormous potential to treat a range of diseases in the United States and Europe. 

But first, it must first receive federal approval as a regulated pharmaceutical. 

Dr. Galipeau recently co-authored a review describing possible applications of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and scientific, regulatory and business challenges to approval in the US. 

"We outline the important scientific, translational and distributive justice issues, which can inform optimal use of these living-cell drugs, particularly MSCs, for patient benefit," he said. 

His program is working to secure federal Food and Drug Administration approval for the use of these cells and other novel cell types to treat patients at UW Health’s University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Resources:

• Galipeau J, Sensébé L. 2018. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Clinical Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cell Stem Cell 22:P824-833.
• "Report: Promising Cell Type Represents New Frontier for Treating Disease," UW School of Medicine and Public Health, June 1, 2018