Organoids in the colon
Japanese scientists performed the first organoid transplantation to a human
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
The world's first transplantation of a mini-organ grown from its own cells was performed on a patient with ulcerative colitis. This operation opens up fundamentally new possibilities in the treatment of intractable diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Today, patients are forced to rely only on symptomatic therapy, which is not always effective.
Organoids are miniature and simplified versions of organs and tissues that are currently being actively studied as an alternative to donor organs or a method for their restoration before transplantation. And although it is still a long way to fully grow a fully finished organ, scientists around the world are gradually approaching this.
An important breakthrough was the world's first colon organoid transplant to a patient with ulcerative colitis, writes Medical Express. This disease causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, significantly reducing the quality of human life. The current therapy consists in suppressing inflammation with drugs, but in severe cases, removal of the colon is indicated.
The scientists had previously collected samples from the patient's healthy colon mucosa, cultured the cells for one month, and then transplanted them back during a colonoscopy.
In this case, the organoids were miniature pieces of colon tissue, which after transplantation should start the process of active regeneration at the site of damage and reduce inflammation in the intestine.
The operation was successful, and the patient was discharged from the hospital the next day. Currently, the observation continues — scientists will assess the human condition for a year. At the moment, about eight more such transplants are planned.
According to the authors, the results of these operations will provide an important development for regenerative medicine, primarily in the direction of therapy of intractable diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
For example, earlier scientists from the UK demonstrated the effectiveness of organoids for the regeneration of bile ducts, which restored normal liver function in mice after transplantation.
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