Blog written by Dr. Matias Fernandez Viña, expert and first graduate in Regenerative Medicine in Argentina from the Universidad Abierta Interamericana.
Regenerative medicine is an innovative and multidisciplinary branch of medicine, where several fields converge within it. Within Regenerative Medicine we find 3 important areas:
A. Cellular Therapies
B. Biomolecules
C. Bio-Engineering and 3D Organs.
Within the field of Cellular Therapies, we find those medical strategies that are currently used, according to different levels of scientific evidence in the medical field.
Thus, cell therapies, obtained from a precursor source of these cells, whether bone marrow, adipose tissue or umbilical cord, are used for treatments that often cannot be solved with conventional therapeutics, whether pharmacological or surgical.
Within the area of biomolecules, here we have all the products derived from regenerative medicine, which are not part of cell therapy, but which exert a regenerative therapeutic effect. Within this area, we find exosomes and even regenerative therapies derived from peripheral blood such as Platelet Rich Plasma, which is not a cell-based product and which lends itself to confusion under many professionals who do not know this field, mixing its terminology with that of “stem cell”.
Thirdly, we have tissue bioengineering and 3D organs. This field still lacks scientific evidence in randomized, double-blind, randomized studies, but there are several in vitro and preclinical models that offer a possible strategy.
The fusion of 3D organ bioprinting with cells, and even decellularized organs, is one of the greatest promises of science in regenerative medicine. Since creating an organ with the fundamental dispositions required for that recipient who needs it, greatly diminishing the problems caused by immunosuppression.
Regenerative Medicine is not yet a medical specialty, of which many professionals who do not know this area and take a simple course, self-styled as specialists. This is a serious mistake. In the same way that there are no specialists in Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem Cells.
Regenerative medicine does have university training levels, with the possibility of obtaining a postgraduate, diploma or Master’s degree. But it is not a specialty, and even less endorsed by any Medical College in Argentina, due to lack of regulation, until the date of 2024. (date of writing this blog).
The rational use of Regenerative Medicine, allows patients to be adequately informed to make decisions when accessing a scientific study or an innovative therapy or compassionate use and professionals to give an interesting working tool, without falling into the fanaticism of the undertaking of miraculous therapies, which so far, none has proven cure, but improvement of quality of life in patients.
