HUMAN AMNION EPITHELIAL CELLS FOR THE PREVENTION OF BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA: A PHASE 1 DOSE ESCALATION STUDY

Abstract

Background & Aim Background: Advances in neonatal intensive care have been associated with improved survival of preterm infants. But along with survival, the morbidity bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the chronic lung disease of prematurity, is also increasing. BPD is associated with adverse respiratory outcomes into adulthood and greater risk of adverse neurodevelopment. Infants born ≤ 28 weeks’ gestation, during the canalicular phase of lung development prior to alveolar and distal capillary development, are at greatest risk of BPD. Disruption of lung maturation by the pro-inflammatory environment created by lifesaving neonatal intensive care interventions results in the BPD we see today ..