H Graf - Böcker

This book gives an updated review of the state of the art in regenerative cell therapy in the fields of cardiology, hematology, pediatrics, neurology, orthopedics and infectious diseases. The book emphasizes clinical advances as proof of concept in cell therapy based on the revolutionizing observation that regeneration can occur throughout the body even in highly differentiated organs like the heart and the neuronal system. It provides examples of breakthroughs in the clinical implementation of adult stem cell therapy.

This book gives an updated review of the state of the art in regenerative cell therapy in the fields of cardiology, hematology, pediatrics, neurology, orthopedics and infectious diseases. The book emphasizes clinical advances as proof of concept in cell therapy based on the revolutionizing observation that regeneration can occur throughout the body even in highly differentiated organs like the heart and the neuronal system. It provides examples of breakthroughs in the clinical implementation of adult stem cell therapy.

Cell biology has made an appreciable impact on the evaluation of physiological and pathophysiological processes leading to a more detailed understanding of the signaling mechanisms by which cells communicate in vivo and in vitro and modify adaptively. By using cell culture models in addition to animal experiments we are now able to better define the overall and the selective potential of drugs. This book is designed to give information on the advantages and limitations and on new aspects and the meaning of cell culture models in pharmaceutical research.

The use of cells for the treatment of a variety of diseases is no longer a dream. Today, blood transfusion, bone marrow transplantation, the use of ex vivo cultured skin in wound healing, and peripheral stern cell transplantation, including the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stern cells after high-dose chemo/radiation therapy, are routine. This high standard of knowledge and skills in cell transplantation might also re­ sult in tackling hitherto untreatable diseases. Organ transplantation is presently the only life-saving treatment for a variety of conditions. Important findings in cell and molecular biol­ ogy, the identification of hematopoietic, mesenchymal and neuronal stern cells, together with breakthroughs in the methodology for isolat­ ing, purifying, expanding, and storing human cells could make cellular therapy an alternative to organ transplantation in certain diseases within the next decade. Placental blood may be the source of choice in isolating naive progenitor cells for allogeneic transplantation. Immunotherapy is the most hopeful strategy to date for the treat­ ment of tumors resistant to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hor­ mone therapy. It includes the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, ex vivo activated memory T lymphocytes, and cell-based vaccines.