Listen as Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist William Faubion, M.D. delivers exciting findings from a recent publication in Stem Cells Translational Medicine that details the success of a new stem cell therapy for Crohn’s fistula.
The video, below, is followed up with key points to take away from this post.
Key Points Include:
- Perianal fistulae is a painful possible complication of Crohn’s disease. According to Mayo Clinic, this complication occurs when an ulcer completely penetrates the intestinal wall, affecting about 20% of those who suffer from Crohn’s disease
- In the study, stem cells derived from patients’ fat were injected along the fistula tracts to treat the complication
- The publication provides followup on 40 patients who underwent the stem cell therapy 2 years prior, noting that 70-80% of the patients maintained full enclosure of fistula tracts over 2 years!
- This is the first treatment for Crohn’s fistulae that shows promising potential over a long-term period