Clinical application of Tissue Engineering. An overview of International and Austrian Areas of Research with a critical analysis of selected applications

Project lead: Erwin Falkner
Duration: May 2007 - August 2008

Background:
Tissue Engineering (TE) is defined as the use of autologous or allogenous cells, mostly in a matrix of proliferation and/or differentiation enhancing environment to stimulate tissue and organ regeneration in patients of varying clinical conditions. State of the art of TE projects vary from prevalent clinical usage of in vitro cultivated autologous chondrocytes for knee defects to future visions of whole organ systems. So far, benefits and risks for patients, advantages to common therapies as well as costs have only been evaluated for certain aspects of the field.

Aims and research objectives:
The goal of the project is a review of the current international state of TE, with a focus on the analysis of structural questions on Tissue Banks in the Austrian theatre. A further aim is to critically evaluate selected fields of application in terms of patient value.

Method:
Systematic investigation of TE applications and analysis of current evidence of its use; classification into six categories: conceptualised, experimental, animal testing, pre-clinical phases, rife clinical application, abjected onsets; assessment of selected TE approaches with clinical relevance in Aus-tria; analysis of Austrian guidelines for tissue banks, structural conditions, assurance of quality.

Publication: HTA-Project Report 13

Contact: Erwin Falkner