Papers of The 4th Japan Scar Workshop

6. New strategy for vocal fold scar using adipose-derived stem cell

Yoshihiko Kumai
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan


Regenerative therapy using stem cells for the treatment of vocal fold wound healing and fibrosis is a very active area of research in Otolaryngology. Although modern phonosurgical methods can deal with many types of vocal fold pathology, vocal fold scar remains a clinical challenge. Trauma (e.g. vocal abuse, phonosurgery) and inflammation (e.g. laryngitis) are the two main causes of vocal fold scarring. Several recent reviews provide details on the problems of vocal fold scarring and the array of possible solutions under investigation. The search for solutions includes autologous tissues, biomaterial implants, growth factors, anti-fibrotic agents and stem cells. This review also focuses on our own work on interactions between stem cells and vocal fold fibroblasts using an in vitro model.
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