Cultured Epithelial Cell Therapy

Cultured epithelial cell therapy was applied to human clinical studies in 1981 after human keratinocytes were first cultured in 1975 and it became a stepping stone for lifesaving treatments for patients with massive burns. Since then, the cultured epithelial homograft (CEH) was developed in 1989 and has been recognized for its usefulness and efficacy as a wound dressing material. However, this homograft is not yet popularized in practice owing to the fact that they are considerably expensive for using it as regular routine clinical applications and requires some expertise surgical techniques for successful utilization. expertise for successful utilization. Since 2003, the author has conducted clinical trials as a principal investigator of Kaloderm (TEGO Science, Inc., Seoul, Korea) the CEH, under the supervision of the KFDA (Korea Food & Drug Administration, present MFDS; Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). Furthermore, the author has successfully conducted a clinical trial on Holoderm (TEGO Science, Inc., Seoul, Korea), the CEA (cultured epithelial autograft), as a subsequent clinical research assignment. Since then, the author has researched and developed a cellular spray technique Keraheal® (MCTT, Seoul, Korea) to cover extensively wide surface areas more easily and efficiently which has became as effective methods for treating massively burned patients. Based on these experiences, the author will be describing a variety of clinical experiences, technical innovations and some problems that associated with use of cultured cells clinically.