Science Advance: Innovative Bone Marrow Therapy to Treat Crohn's Disease
This Phase I investigator-initiated, dose escalation study, led by Subra Kugathasan, MD (Pediatrics/Human Genetics, Emory) and Jacques Galipeau, MD (Hem/Onc/ Pediatrics, Emory ), addresses the safety and tolerability of autologous bone marrow derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) in patients with Crohn’s Disease. MSCs have been shown to impact autoimmune conditions such as Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Infusions for this first in-human trial are underway at the ACTSI Pediatric Research Center, Children’s Health Care of Atlanta, Egleston Hospital. To date four controls are enrolled and one active participant, an 18 year old female. The first patient infusion was done in March 2013.