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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2014; 20(5): 1211-1227
Published online Feb 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i5.1211
Therapy with stem cells in inflammatory bowel disease
María del Pilar Martínez-Montiel, Gonzalo Jesús Gómez-Gómez, Ana Isabel Flores
María del Pilar Martínez-Montiel, Gonzalo Jesús Gómez-Gómez, IBD Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Universitary Hospital 12 Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
Ana Isabel Flores, Medicine Regenerative Group, Investigation Center, 12 Octubre Investigation Institute, 28041 Madrid, Spain
Author contributions: Martínez-Montiel MP and Gomez-Gomez GJ wrote the paper; Flores AI wrote the regenerative medicine partially and worked with one photography.
Correspondence to: María del Pilar Martínez-Montiel, MD, IBD Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Universitary Hospital 12 Octubre, 6th Floor of Ambulatory Building, Cordoba Avenue, 28041 Madrid, Spain. pilarmarmon123@telefonica.net
Telephone: +34-91-7792674 Fax: +34-91-7792674
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: November 23, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: February 7, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Treatments with mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells offer a potential that requires in-depth investigation. Existing studies are encouraging yet inconclusive. We are at a point of inflexion where these new therapies are seen to afford major curative potential. The coming years will be decisive. The information obtained from ongoing and future clinical trials may lead a revolution in inflammatory bowel disease management and its impact upon patients. Undoubtedly, as twenty-first century gastroenterologists, we must expand the scope of our specialty and seek multidisciplinary interaction for the benefit of our patients.