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Clinical trial uses patients cells to heal diabetic wounds

TAMARAC, Fla. – Researchers are looking into potential breakthrough for people with diabetic foot ulcers stubborn wounds that are difficult to heal.

A phase three clinical trial is underway at Barry University for diabetics with often life or limb threatening foot ulcers.

It involves taking three tiny pieces of the patients own skin to create a personalized healing paste called SkinTE.

“They’re growing their own skin back. So we’re taking the skin, we’re doing something to it in the laboratory and then bringing it back to us very quickly so that we can facilitate putting it on that patients wound. And of course the wound has to be debrided, cleaned up before we can do that, prepared to accept this therapy but it is in my view is a very, very innovative very promising therapy,” said Wound Care Specialist Dr. Robert Snyder.

Within a few months after a single treatment, wounds can be completely healed and there’s no chance of rejection because SkinTE uses the patient’s own cells.

An estimated 34 million Americans are diabetic and 25 percent suffer from foot ulcers.

Studies show that as much as 43 percent of patients eventually progress to amputation.

To learn more about the SkinTE study go to:

https://www.polarityte.com/patients-families/clinical-trials/

And a new study shows that volunteering isn’t just a way to help others, it can also be good for you too.

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Mental health experts say helping others activates the reward center in the brain, releasing the ‘feel good’ chemicals serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.


About the Authors
Kristi Krueger headshot

Kristi Krueger has built a solid reputation as an award-winning medical reporter and effervescent anchor. She joined Local 10 in August 1993. After many years co-anchoring the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., Kristi now co-anchors the noon newscasts, giving her more time in the evening with her family.

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