Regen: the industry responsible for cell-based therapies

Evaluation of clinical results of combined correction of age-related skin changes using fractional microneedle therapy and platelet-rich plasma activated by autologous thrombin

Background. Involutive processes in the human body are often accompanied by the only visible manifestation - a change in appearance. Against this background, the search for new treatment methods that will focus on timely and rational correction of age-related skin changes and combine the possibility of complex effects on the mechanisms of skin aging is relevant. Hardware physiotherapy technologies and innovative autologous cellular preparations have a powerful regenerative potential, trigger and support physiological tissue regeneration. Despite the substantial amount of data on combined aesthetic correction protocols, there were only isolated data in the domestic and foreign literature on the combined use of fractional needle radiofrequency therapy and platelet-rich plasma activated by autologous thrombin. This was the basis for this study. Aims. To evaluate the results of a combined method for correcting age-related skin changes based on a combination of hardware fractional needle radiofrequency exposure and injection therapy with platelet-rich plasma activated by autologous thrombin, comparing to monotherapy the same methods. Materials and methods. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency therapy was carried out three times with an interval between procedures of 3 weeks with the use of a high-frequency electrosurgical device Scarlet RF. Therapy with autologous plasma rich in platelets activated by autologous thrombin (PRP therapy) was performed three times with an interval between procedures of 3 weeks without the use of preliminary topical anesthesia. Combination therapy combined the use of the above methods. Regression of clinical signs of skin aging was evaluated according to digital dermatoscopy and regression of the total value of the dermatological index of the quality of life of patients, as well as improvement of qualitative and functional parameters of the skin. A statistical analysis was carried out. Results. A comparative analysis of the influence of various methods of correction of involutive changes in the skin of the face showed that the use of combination therapy provides the development of the most significant clinical effect in relation to all the assessed signs of skin aging. Combination therapy was accompanied by a significant increase in the integral index of microcirculation, regardless of age. The reconstructive effect on the morphological structures of the skin according to ultrasonography also turned out to be significantly higher for the combined method of treatment in comparison with radiofrequency therapy. Conclusions. The combined use of fractional microneedle radiofrequency therapy and PRP therapy provides a more effective and prolonged correction of age-related skin changes compared to the monotherapy.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Therapeutics Agents: Quality and Environmental Regulatory Aspects

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the main stem cells that have been used for advanced therapies and regenerative medicine. To carry out the translational clinical application of MSCs, their manufacturing and administration in human must be controlled; therefore they should be considered as medicine: stem cell-based medicinal products (SCMPs). The development of MSCs as SCMPs represents complicated therapeutics due to their extreme complex nature and rigorous regulatory oversights. The manufacturing process of MSCs needs to be addressed in clean environments in compliance with requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Facilities should maintain these GMP conditions according to international and national medicinal regulatory frameworks that introduce a number of specifications in order to produce MSCs as safe SCMPs. One of these important and complex requirements is the environmental monitoring. Although a number of environmental requirements are clearly defined, some others are provided as recommendations. In this review we aim to outline the current issues with regard to international guidelines which impact environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and clean areas for the manufacturing of MSCs.

The translation of cell-based therapies: clinical landscape and manufacturing challenges

Cell-based therapies have the potential to make a large contribution toward currently unmet patient need and thus effective manufacture of these products is essential. Many challenges must be overcome before this can become a reality and a better definition of the manufacturing requirements for cell-based products must be obtained. The aim of this study is to inform industry and academia of current cell-based therapy clinical development and to identify gaps in their manufacturing requirements. A total of 1342 active cell-based therapy clinical trials have been identified and characterized based on cell type, target indication and trial phase. Multiple technologies have been assessed for the manufacture of these cell types in order to facilitate product translation and future process development.

Potential of regenerative medicine for treatment of vitiligo patients

The article presents a review of publishes sources on the efficacy of methods such as tissue engineering and cellular transplantation of autologous melanocytes for treatment of vitiligo patients. The article describes general principles of treatment and particular features of current melanocyte transplantation methods.

Isolation and characterization of the environmental bacterial and fungi contamination in a pharmaceutical unit of mesenchymal stem cell for clinical use

Design and implementation of an environmental monitoring program is vital to assure the maintenance of acceptable quality conditions in a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit of human mesenchymal stem cells. Since sterility testing methods require 14 days and these cells are only viable for several hours, they are currently administered without the result of this test. Consequently environmental monitoring is a key element in stem cell banks for assuring low levels of potential introduction of contaminants into the cell products. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the environmental microbiological quality in a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit of human mesenchymal stem cells production for use in advanced therapies. Two hundred and sixty one points were tested monthly during one year, 156 from air and 105 from surfaces. Among the 6264 samples tested, 231 showed contamination, 76.6% for bacteria and 23.4% for fungi. Microbial genuses isolated were Staphylococcus (89.7%), Microccocus (4.5%), Kocuria (3.2%) and Bacillus (2.6%). In the identification of fungi, three genuses were detected: Aspergillus (56%), Penicillium (26%) and Cladosporium (18%). The origin of the contamination was found to be due to personnel manipulation and air microbiota. For all sampling methods, alert limits were set and corrective measures suggested.

Cryopreservation of Human Stem Cells for Clinical Application: A Review

SUMMARY: Stem cells have been used in a clinical setting for many years. Haematopoietic stem cells have been used for the treatment of both haematological and non-haematological disease; while more recently mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow have been the subject of both laboratory and early clinical studies. Whilst these cells show both multipotency and expansion potential, they nonetheless do not form stable cell lines in culture which is likely to limit the breadth of their application in the field of regenerative medicine. Human embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells, capable of forming stable cell lines which retain the capacity to differentiate into cells from all three germ layers. This makes them of special significance in both regenerative medicine and toxicology. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells may also provide a similar breadth of utility without some of the confounding ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem cells. An essential pre-requisite to the commercial and clinical application of stem cells are suitable cryopreservation protocols for long-term storage. Whilst effective methods for cryopreservation and storage have been developed for haematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic cells and iPS cells have proved more refractory. This paper reviews the current state of cryopreservation as it pertains to stem cells and in particular the embryonic and iPS cell.