Bioengineered tissue products
In the daily clinical treatment of selected diseases, ATMPs have cleared the regulatory and approval hurdles. However, without adequate reimbursement by payers and successful passage of the various requirements of the G-BA, promising therapies with ATMPs will remain a niche in the therapy world.
Bioengineered tissue products are used in various therapeutic areas to repair or regenerate tissue damage. Some of the most important therapeutic areas are:
- Orthopaedics
Bioengineered tissue products are used to treat cartilage damage, bone defects and tendon injuries. For example, stem cells and growth factors are used to promote bone and cartilage regeneration. An example from today's therapeutic spectrum is Matrix Associated Chondrocyte Transplantation (M-MACT), which has already found its way into standard care.
- Dermatology
Tissue products such as skin substitutes and skin replacement materials are used to treat wounds, burns and skin defects. Bioengineered skin grafts can also be used in the treatment of genetic skin diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa.
- Cardiology
Bioengineered tissue products are used to repair heart tissue. For example, stem cells can be used to regenerate damaged heart tissue.
- Neurology
Bioengineered tissue products are used to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. For example, stem cells can be used to regenerate damaged brain tissue.
- Oncology
Bioengineered tissue products are used to treat cancer. For example, tumour vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapy can be used to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells.
This is a non-exhaustive list of possible therapies for ATMPs. It should be noted that the approval process and clinical use are subject to specific regulatory requirements.
