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Mesenchymal and nonhematopoietic stem-cell therapy
Cytotherapy (2002) Vol. 4, No. 6, 501–501
Martin Dunitz
Taylor&Francis healthsciences
In Focus
Mesenchymal and nonhematopoietic stem-cell therapy EM Horwitz Divisions of Stem Cell Transplantation and Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology–Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA Over the past few years stem-cell biology and regenerative medicine have emerged as two of the fastest growing and most exciting areas of biomedical research. Cell therapy has a potential to rebuild diseased or damaged tissues with which drugs or other small-molecule therapies cannot compete. A major advantage of cell therapy is that it does not necessarily require understanding of the molecular regulation of gene expression or cell differentiation, since endogenous genetic regulatory mechanisms — as well as local environmental cues — remain intact. Virtually every tissue in the body is under scrutiny in an effort to develop a cell therapeutic approach. BMT as a means of transplanting hematopoietic stem cells is the prototypic system for stem-cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Dr E. Donnall Thomas first treated patients with marrow transplantation in 1957. Although none of these patients were cured, Dr Thomas’ early studies proved the principle of hematopoietic-cell therapy, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for his pioneering work. It has long been accepted that transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells within the BM will regenerate the entire hematopoietic system, and this strategy is used to treat a wide variety of malignant and nonmalignant disorders. We now know that BM contains cells with the capacity to differentiate to tissues other than blood,
which opens an enormous array of possibilities for BM cell therapy of nonhematopoietic tissues. The International Society of Cellular Therapy (ISCT), which began as a society for hematotherapy, has taken its new name to reflect both the expanding interests of the Society and the increasing scope of cellular therapy. During these times of rapid scientific discovery and innovative clinical trials, it is important to consider what has been established, what is currently under investigation, and what the future may hold in our efforts to advance cellular therapy for nonhematopoietic tissues. The Society continues its leading role by bringing together investigators from many disciplines in an effort to foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences. This issue of Cytotherapy contains a series of papers from leading experts in our field, reviewing some of the accomplishments of recent research, proposing where the future of nonhematopoietic stem cells and regenerative medicine may lead, and offering some opinions of various aspects of cell therapy. It is our intention that this ‘In Focus’ series will stimulate questions and thought, rather than answers and resolution, helping us all to ‘think outside the box’. Over the coming years, I am confident that we will witness the development of broadly applicable cellular therapy, and take the practice of medicine to a remarkable new level.
Correspondence to: EM Horwitz, Stem Cell Transplantation and Experimental Hematology, Mail Stop 341, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 USA © 2002 ISCT
501
Martin Dunitz
Taylor&Francis healthsciences
In Focus
Mesenchymal and nonhematopoietic stem-cell therapy EM Horwitz Divisions of Stem Cell Transplantation and Experimental Hematology, Department of Hematology–Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA Over the past few years stem-cell biology and regenerative medicine have emerged as two of the fastest growing and most exciting areas of biomedical research. Cell therapy has a potential to rebuild diseased or damaged tissues with which drugs or other small-molecule therapies cannot compete. A major advantage of cell therapy is that it does not necessarily require understanding of the molecular regulation of gene expression or cell differentiation, since endogenous genetic regulatory mechanisms — as well as local environmental cues — remain intact. Virtually every tissue in the body is under scrutiny in an effort to develop a cell therapeutic approach. BMT as a means of transplanting hematopoietic stem cells is the prototypic system for stem-cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Dr E. Donnall Thomas first treated patients with marrow transplantation in 1957. Although none of these patients were cured, Dr Thomas’ early studies proved the principle of hematopoietic-cell therapy, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for his pioneering work. It has long been accepted that transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells within the BM will regenerate the entire hematopoietic system, and this strategy is used to treat a wide variety of malignant and nonmalignant disorders. We now know that BM contains cells with the capacity to differentiate to tissues other than blood,
which opens an enormous array of possibilities for BM cell therapy of nonhematopoietic tissues. The International Society of Cellular Therapy (ISCT), which began as a society for hematotherapy, has taken its new name to reflect both the expanding interests of the Society and the increasing scope of cellular therapy. During these times of rapid scientific discovery and innovative clinical trials, it is important to consider what has been established, what is currently under investigation, and what the future may hold in our efforts to advance cellular therapy for nonhematopoietic tissues. The Society continues its leading role by bringing together investigators from many disciplines in an effort to foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences. This issue of Cytotherapy contains a series of papers from leading experts in our field, reviewing some of the accomplishments of recent research, proposing where the future of nonhematopoietic stem cells and regenerative medicine may lead, and offering some opinions of various aspects of cell therapy. It is our intention that this ‘In Focus’ series will stimulate questions and thought, rather than answers and resolution, helping us all to ‘think outside the box’. Over the coming years, I am confident that we will witness the development of broadly applicable cellular therapy, and take the practice of medicine to a remarkable new level.
Correspondence to: EM Horwitz, Stem Cell Transplantation and Experimental Hematology, Mail Stop 341, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 USA © 2002 ISCT
501