Stem Cell Lab

CASCADE, Cultivated Adult Stem Cells as Alternative for Damaged tissuE, is a consortium granted by the 7th Framework Program of the European Commission. It has the aim to develop processes following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for producing adult stem cells, more precisely for the generation of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs).

Aim of REBORNE European consortium is to perform clinical trials using advanced biomaterials and stem cells triggering bone healing in patients. In order to reach this goal, 5 phase I clinical studies with 20 patients are proposed in 12 clinical centres spread in 8 European countries.

Aims of the project are: 1) phase I, perspective, uncontrolled, single arm pilot study enrolling up to 22 patients, aimed at evaluating tolerability and, secondly, safety and efficacy of the employment of human autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from bone marrow, associated to inorganic carrier (Orthoss) and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in the repair of scaphoid bone defect (Unit 1 – Sezione di Ematologia, Università degli Studi di Verona; U.O.C. di Medicina Trasfusionale d.O. e U.O.C. di Chirurgia della Mano d.O., AOUI Verona); 2) preclinical studies to assess MSC regenerative potential in maxillo-facial bone defects to set up a phase I pilot study (Unit 1 – Sezione di Ematologia, Università degli Studi di Verona; U.O.C. di Medicina Trasfusionale d.O., AOUI Verona; Sezione di Odontoiatria e Chirurgia Maxillo-Facciale, Università degli Studi di Verona); 3) preclinical studies to assess MSC regenerative potential in severe and bilateral corneal lesions, not suitable for limbal stem cell transplantation, to set up a phase I pilot study (Unit 2 – Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto – Onlus, Venezia-Zelarino); 4) preclinical studies to assess MSC immunoregolatory properties in acute GvHD following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to set up a phase I pilot study (Unit 1 – Sezione di Ematologia, Università degli Studi di Verona, e U.O.C. di Medicina Trasfusionale d.O., AOUI Verona; Unit 3 – Dipartimento di Terapie Cellulari ed Ematologia, Laboratorio di Terapie Cellulari Avanzate – USSL 6, Vicenza)