Intervertebral disc degeneration is a feature of aging, and injury can produce further challenges. A range of approaches have been assessed to enhance the regenerative capacity of disc tissue, useful not just after injury, but also to reverse some of the declines in disc structure and function produced by aging. Stem cell therapies have been attempted, and are widely available via medical tourism, but unfortunately that diverse population of patients contributes next to no publicly available data to help researchers understand whether or not this is a viable approach, and how to improve on it. First generation stem cell therapies are gradually being replaced by exosome therapies, as these are logistically easier to manage. Exosomes can be harvested and stored, it is easier to produce consis…
FOXF1 Gene Therapy Improves Regeneration of Intervertebral Discs Following Injury
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a feature of aging, and injury can produce further challenges. A range of approaches have been assessed to enhance the regenerative capacity of disc tissue, useful not just after injury, but also to reverse some of the declines in disc structure and function produced by aging. Stem cell therapies have been attempted, and are widely available via medical tourism, but unfortunately that diverse population of patients contributes next to no publicly available data to help researchers understand whether or not this is a viable approach, and how to improve on it. First generation stem cell therapies are gradually being replaced by exosome therapies, as these are logistically easier to manage. Exosomes can be harvested and stored, it is easier to produce consis…