In a breakthrough that may help millions of people around the world, scientists have successfully used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat atopic dermatitis. This is the first clinical stem cell trial to show how MSCs can be used to treat this common skin condition.

MSCs can be obtained from a number of sources including umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, and the fallopian tube. It is yet another important discovery involving the use of the stem cells found in umbilical cord blood.  

Senior author of the paper, Dr. Tae-Yoon Kim, explains the importance of the study saying: “This study is a first-in-class study demonstrating that adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis responded to a treatment of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.” The research was published in the journal Stem Cells.

Two clinical trials were performed to obtain the findings, involving 34 patients with mild-to-moderate eczema. The test subjects were given either a high dose or low dose of MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood.

After just one treatment of umbilical cord blood stem cells, the patients has a “significant and persistent improvement of disease symptoms”, said Dr Kim.

Eczema is an inflammatory condition that is caused by a mutation in a gene called filaggrin. It interferes with a person’s ability to repair damage to the skin barrier. If the skin barrier cannot be repaired, it loses moisture and the skin becomes scaly. 

Patients saw a dramatic reduction in symptoms of their condition after receiving the stem cell transplant. Itching was reduced and the condition of their skin began to improve. None of the patients in the trial had serious adverse side effects — a positive sign indicating the treatment may come to market quickly.

Source: Umbilical Cord Blood May Contain the Next Eczema Treatment

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