Allogeneic blood and bone marrow cells for the treatment of severe epidermolysis bullosa: repair of the extracellular matrix.

[dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa]

Contrary to the prevailing professional opinion of the past few decades , recent experimental and clinical data support the fact that protein replacement therapy by allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation is not limited to freely diffusible molecules such as enzymes , but also large structural proteins such as collagens . A prime example is the cross-correction of type VII collagen deficiency in generalised severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa , in which blood and marrow transplantation can attenuate the mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease and improve patients ' quality of life . Although allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation can improve the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes , today 's accomplishments are only the first steps on the long pathway to cure . Future strategies will be built on the lessons learned from these first transplant studies .