Can the usage of cellular therapies achieve complete wound closure in venous ulcers?
When combined with standard therapy and near elimination of wound exudate, cellular therapies, consisting of cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts can achieve complete wound closure in the majority of difficult-to-heal venous ulcers. In a study conducted in two medical centers, 37 out of 54 venous ulcers (on 33 patients) treated with Apligraf® had complete wound closure. They were previously unresponsive to conventional therapy. Interestingly, the rates of closure were similar at the two centers, where different methods of wound debridement and exudate control were used. Thus, given a therapeutic goal of optimal wound bed preparation and elimination of wound exudate, conditions that are ideal for the successful use of advanced therapeutic modalities can be created.
