Synthetic Windpipe Replaces Cancerous One

[Robert Heiny]

Henry Fountain reports that surgeons in Stockholm, Sweden replaced a patient's cancerous trachea (windpipe) with a synthetic one seeded with the patients cells. The synthetic windpipe was made of nano-scale plastic fibers coated with stem cells from the patient's bone marrow. The surgeon use a tissue engineered trachea built to match CT scans of the patients cancerous one without the tumor. The plastic form was rotated in a solution with the patient's stem cells for several days while the cells adhered to the plastic and began growing. The new trachea fit the patient perfectly. The patient is home anticipating returning to work.

Fountain, H. Synthetic Windpipe Used to Replace Cancerous One, New York Times, January 12, 2012.

 

[LPH]

Instead of rotating, there is a spray technique used on burn victims. I wonder if this would have worked.

 

[Robert Heiny]

The article says they removed the tumor and the trachea. If it said, the NYT article didn't describe the decision making process to make and install the synthetic replacement unit. Maybe someone who has read the original scientific/medical report can answer that question.

Engineering synthetic tissues with the patient's cells is fascinating. I first remember reading lab reports in the late 1970's of such potential developments. Good well meaning physicians with whom I tried to discuss these potentials considered them fantasy. At least one of them could have used such tissues to save his life.

 

[LPH]

Stem cell research continues to progress - and never being fast enough to save loved ones needing well-testing techniques now. Our government needs to invest in these technologies rather than give it all away to other countries.