Cell-based regeneration of intervertebral disc defects: Review and concepts

During the last century low back pain has emerged as a widespread disease often caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is a complex problem in which a variety of causes play a role. As IDD causes high costs, corporate interest has led to a number of therapies being developed. Today, these therapies focus not only on minimizing the pain caused by this disease but also on restoring intervertebral disc function. These approaches are often biological and aim to stimulate the regeneration of the intervertebral disc by injection of activator proteins, biomaterials, different cell types or complex cell matrix composites. Genetic engineering of disc cells and in vitro tissue engineering also offer a possibility for curing IDD. This article gives an overview of these concepts. (Int J Artif Organs 2009; 32: 197-203)