Patients’ own cells used in treatment

Scientists will today reveal details of new research using patients’ own blood cells to treat chronic inflammatory illnesses.

The UK National Stem Cell Network annual science meeting in York will hear how the cells can be used to produce a type of cell which reduces the extent of conditions including Crohn’s disease.

Prof Miguel Forte, of TxCell in Valbonne, France, will tell delegates how the approach can be used to dampen down over-active immune responses in patients which cause inflammatory symptoms.

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Patients treated under the programme had previously been given drugs or undergone surgery but still had significant symptoms.

He said: “We know that treatments based on these cells can work but the challenge is to develop them in the clinic so as to maximise the benefits and minimise the risk.

“It’s still early days but the preliminary results are really good. The treatment didn’t make the patients ill in any way.”

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