Hirschsprung's Advances; Working Towards Autologous tIssue therapIes

Launched by ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Sep 6, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "Hirschsprung's Advances; Working Towards Autologous tissue therapies," is focused on finding better treatments for children with Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR). In this condition, children are born without normal nerve cells in the lower part of their bowel, which can lead to serious health issues if not treated. Currently, the usual treatment involves surgically removing the affected part of the bowel, but this can result in long-term problems, like needing a permanent bag to collect waste. The researchers have discovered that even in the affected areas, there are special nerve stem cells that might be able to grow into the nerves needed for the bowel to function properly. They want to see if these stem cells can be grown in the lab and if certain medications can help them develop into healthy nerve cells.

If you have a child who is going to undergo a specific type of bowel surgery and meets the inclusion criteria, they may be eligible to participate in this study. There are no specific exclusions, making it accessible to a wide range of children. Participants will undergo tests to see how the nerve stem cells from different parts of the bowel grow and respond to medications. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to find a way for these stem cells to develop into normal nerves, potentially allowing children with HSCR to avoid surgery and the need for a stoma. If successful, this could greatly improve the quality of life for affected children.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • • Any child undergoing therapeutic intestinal resection (but specifically those in which it is not necessary for all resected tissue to be sent for histopathological analysis, as no additional tissue will be removed for research purposes).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • None