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Liu J, Wang J, Zhang Q, Lu F, Cai J. Clinical, Histologic, and Transcriptomic Evaluation of Sequential Fat Grafting for Morphea: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Dermatol 2024; 160:425-433. [PMID: 38324287 PMCID: PMC11024779 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.5908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Importance Morphea is a rare disease of unknown etiology without satisfactory treatment for skin sclerosis and soft tissue atrophy. Objective To provide clinical, histologic, and transcriptome evidence of the antisclerotic and regenerative effects of sequential fat grafting with fresh fat and cryopreserved stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF gel) for morphea. Design, Setting, and Participants This single-center, nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2022 and March 2023 in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University and included adult participants with early-onset or late-onset morphea who presented with varying degrees of skin sclerosis and soft tissue defect. Interventions Group 1 received sequential grafting of fresh fat and cryopreserved SVF gel (at 1 and 2 months postoperation). Group 2 received single autologous fat grafting. All patients were included in a 12-month follow-up. Main Outcome and Measures The primary outcome included changes in the modified Localized Scleroderma Skin Severity Index (mLoSSI) and Localized Scleroderma Skin Damage Index (LoSDI) scores as evaluated by 2 independent blinded dermatologists. The histologic and transcriptome changes of morphea skin lesions were also evaluated. Results Of 44 patients (median [IQR] age, 26 [23-33] years; 36 women [81.8%]) enrolled, 24 (54.5%) were assigned to group 1 and 20 (45.5%) to group 2. No serious adverse events were noted. The mean (SD) mLoSSI scores at 12 months showed a 1.6 (1.50) decrease in group 1 and 0.9 (1.46) in group 2 (P = .13), whereas the mean (SD) LoSDI scores at 12 months showed a 4.3 (1.34) decrease in group 1 and 2.1 (1.07) in group 2 (P < .001), indicating that group 1 had more significant improvement in morphea skin damage but not disease activity compared with group 2. Histologic analysis showed improved skin regeneration and reduced skin sclerosis in group 1, whereas skin biopsy specimens of group 2 patients did not show significant change. Transcriptome analysis of skin biopsy specimens from group 1 patients suggested that tumor necrosis factor α signaling via NFκB might contribute to the immunosuppressive and antifibrotic effect of sequential fat grafting. A total of 15 hub genes were captured, among which many associated with morphea pathogenesis were downregulated and validated by immunohistochemistry, such as EDN1, PAI-1, and CTGF. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this nonrandomized trial suggest that sequential fat grafting with fresh fat and cryopreserved SVF gel was safe and its therapeutic effect was superior to that of single autologous fat grafting with improved mLoSSI and LoSDI scores. Histological and transcriptomic changes further support the effectiveness after treatment. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2200058003.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzi Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junrong Cai
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Nagappan A, Kalokairinou L, Wexler A. Ethical issues in direct-to-consumer healthcare: A scoping review. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2024; 3:e0000452. [PMID: 38349902 PMCID: PMC10863864 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
An increasing number of health products and services are being offered on a direct-to-consumer (DTC) basis. To date, however, scholarship on DTC healthcare products and services has largely proceeded in a domain-specific fashion, with discussions of relevant ethical challenges occurring within specific medical specialties. The present study therefore aimed to provide a scoping review of ethical issues raised in the academic literature across types of DTC healthcare products and services. A systematic search for relevant publications between 2011-2021 was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar using iteratively developed search terms. The final sample included 86 publications that discussed ethical issues related to DTC healthcare products and services. All publications were coded for ethical issues mentioned, primary DTC product or service discussed, type of study, year of publication, and geographical context. We found that the types of DTC healthcare products and services mentioned in our sample spanned six categories: neurotechnology (34%), testing (20%), in-person services (17%), digital health tools (14%), telemedicine (13%), and physical interventions (2%). Ethical arguments in favor of DTC healthcare included improved access (e.g., financial, geographical; 31%), increased autonomy (29%), and enhanced convenience (16%). Commonly raised ethical concerns included insufficient regulation (72%), questionable efficacy and quality (70%), safety and physical harms (66%), misleading advertising claims (56%), and privacy (34%). Other frequently occurring ethical concerns pertained to financial costs, targeting vulnerable groups, informed consent, and potential burdens on healthcare providers, the healthcare system, and society. Our findings offer insights into the cross-cutting ethical issues associated with DTC healthcare and underscore the need for increased interdisciplinary communication to address the challenges they raise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Nagappan
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Louiza Kalokairinou
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anna Wexler
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Fareez IM, Liew FF, Widera D, Mayeen NF, Mawya J, Abu Kasim NH, Haque N. Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Stem Cell Treatment - an Attempt to Clarify a Common Public Misconception. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:689-701. [PMID: 37171013 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230511152646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the practice of regenerative medicine by health practitioners and direct-to-consumer businesses globally. Among different tools of regenerative medicine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell-based therapies have received considerable attention. The use of PRP, in particular, has gained popularity due to its easy access, simple processing techniques, and regenerative potential. However, it is important to address a common misconception amongst the general public equating to PRP and stem cells due to the demonstrated efficacy of PRP in treating musculoskeletal and dermatological disorders. Notably, PRP promotes regeneration by providing growth factors or other paracrine factors only. Therefore, it cannot replenish or replace the lost cells in conditions where a large number of cells are required to regenerate tissues and/or organs. In such cases, cellbased therapies are the preferred option. Additionally, other tools of regenerative medicine, such as bioprinting, organoids, and mechanobiology also rely on stem cells for their success. Hence, healthcare and commercial entities offering direct-to-customer regenerative therapies should not mislead the public by claiming that the application of PRP is a stem cell-based therapy. Furthermore, it is important for regulatory bodies to strictly monitor these profit-driven entities to prevent them from providing unregulated regenerative treatments and services that claim a broad variety of benefits with little proof of efficacy, safety concerns, and obscure scientific justification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail M Fareez
- School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fong Fong Liew
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Selangor, 42610, Malaysia
| | - Darius Widera
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Naiyareen Fareeza Mayeen
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Planegg- Martinsried, 82152, Germany
- TotiCell Limited, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh
| | | | - Noor Hayaty Abu Kasim
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
- Faculty of Dentistry, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 50300, Malaysia
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Laloze J, Fiévet L, Desmoulière A. Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Regenerative Medicine: State of Play, Current Clinical Trials, and Future Prospects. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2021; 10:24-48. [PMID: 32470315 PMCID: PMC7698876 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2020.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Wound healing is a complex process involving pain and inflammation, where innervation plays a central role. Managing wound healing and pain remains an important issue, especially in pathologies such as excessive scarring (often leading to fibrosis) or deficient healing, leading to chronic wounds. Recent Advances: Advances in therapies using mesenchymal stromal cells offer new insights for treating indications that previously lacked options. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) are now being used to a much greater extent in clinical trials for regenerative medicine. However, to be really valid, these randomized trials must imperatively follow strict guidelines such as consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) statement. Indeed, AD-MSCs, because of their paracrine activities and multipotency, have potential to cure degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases. Combined with their relatively easy access (from adipose tissue) and proliferation capacity, AD-MSCs represent an excellent candidate for allogeneic treatments. Critical Issues: The success of AD-MSC therapy may depend on the robustness of the biological functions of AD-MSCs, which requires controlling source heterogeneity and production processes, and development of biomarkers that predict desired responses. Several studies have investigated the effect of AD-MSCs on innervation, wound repair, or pain management separately, but systematic evaluation of how those effects could be combined is lacking. Future Directions: Future studies that explore how AD-MSC therapy can be used to treat difficult-to-heal wounds, underlining the need to thoroughly characterize the cells used, and standardization of preparation processes are needed. Finally, how this a priori easy-to-use cell therapy treatment fits into clinical management of pain, improvement of tissue healing, and patient quality of life, all need to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Laloze
- Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Limoges, Myelin Maintenance and Peripheral Neuropathies (EA 6309), Limoges, France
- Department of Maxillo-Facial and Reconstructive Surgery and Stomatology, University Hospital Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - Loïc Fiévet
- STROMALab, Etablissement Français du Sang (EFS)-Occitanie, INSERM 1031, National Veterinary School of Toulouse (ENVT), ERL5311 CNRS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexis Desmoulière
- Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Limoges, Myelin Maintenance and Peripheral Neuropathies (EA 6309), Limoges, France
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Lv J, Su Y, Song L, Gong X, Peng Y. Stem cell 'therapy' advertisements in China: Infodemic, regulations and recommendations. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12937. [PMID: 33146925 PMCID: PMC7705907 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the pandemic itself, a phenomenon called an 'infodemic'-defined by the World Health Organization as the spread of misleading information on the pandemic-has also gained attention. In the field of stem cell research, researchers and regulators have been fighting against false and misleading information, particularly advertisements for unproven and unauthorized stem cell-based interventions for decades. However, how existing legal and regulatory measures, which vary by country, can be employed to combat such false information is unclear. In this article, we examine the situation in China, where the spread of unauthorized stem cell 'therapies' has drawn patients from not only within China but also from abroad. First, we assess how and to what extent online advertisements promote unproven and unauthorized stem cell-based interventions directly to patients and prospective health consumers in China. Next, we survey the landscape for existing regulatory and administrative measures that may be used to combat false and misleading advertisements in this area. Finally, based on our analysis, we provide three main recommendations that may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory measures in curtailing illegitimate advertising of unproven and unauthorized stem cell-based interventions in China. In conclusion, we also call for international collaboration among researchers and regulators in studying and strengthening regulations in this critical area that has so far been neglected in scholarly and policy discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yeyang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lingqiao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center of Genomics, and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xia Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaojin Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Murdoch B, Marcon AR, Caulfield T. The law and problematic marketing by private umbilical cord blood banks. BMC Med Ethics 2020; 21:52. [PMID: 32611408 PMCID: PMC7329494 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00494-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Private umbilical cord blood banking is a for-profit industry in which parents pay to store blood for potential future use. Governments have noted the tendency for private banks to oversell the potential for cord blood use, especially in relation to speculative cell therapies not yet supported by clinical evidence. We assessed the regulatory landscape governing private cord bank marketing in Canada. Main body Because the problematic marketing of private cord blood banking for future use often relates to speculative future cell therapies that do not exist and are not being advertised for current clinical use, most private blood bank marketing seems to fall outside Health Canada’s regulatory scope. However, this problematic marketing is regulated by the Competition Bureau pursuant to the Competition Act. While representations relating to future hypothetical treatments may not always be subject to the legal requirement for claim substantiation, the law also prohibits individuals and companies from knowingly or recklessly making representations that are “false or misleading in a material respect.” A representation is materially false or misleading when it could “influence a consumer’s behavior or purchasing decisions,” and consumers are likely to be considered to be “credulous and inexperienced” for the purposes of assessing an advertisement’s general impression. Because all of the potential benefit of the banking is derived from the potential future use of the biological material for health interventions directed toward the customers and their relatives, and because we know the best available medical evidence indicates a very low probability of utility in this context, we can say with confidence that some private cord blood banking claims are materially misleading. Moreover, to the extent that medical professionals are involved in private bank interactions with customers or hold ownership stakes in private banks, they are subject to professional codes, standards of practice, and potentially fiduciary obligations that further prohibit misleading marketing. Conclusions Private cord blood bank marketing that advertises hypothetical future treatments can be misleading and may influence consumer behaviour. This marketing may breach existing advertising law. Regulatory bodies should enforce the law in order to help prevent public health and personal financial harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Murdoch
- Health Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Alessandro R Marcon
- Health Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Timothy Caulfield
- Health Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H5, Canada.
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Promises and Limitations of Neural Stem Cell Therapies for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:898-912. [PMID: 32448751 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple disease-modifying medications with regulatory approval to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) are unable to prevent inflammatory tissue damage in the central nervous system (CNS), and none directly promote repair. Thus, there is an unmet clinical need for therapies that can arrest and reverse the persistent accumulation of disabilities associated with progressive forms of MS (P-MS). Preclinical research has revealed an unexpected ability of neural stem cell (NSC) therapies to provide neurotrophic support and inhibit detrimental host immune responses in vivo following transplantation into the chronically inflamed CNS. We discuss NSC transplantation as a promising therapy for P-MS, elaborate on the necessities of clinical trial validation and formalized usage guidelines, and caution about unscrupulous 'clinics' marketing unproven therapies to patients.
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