Investigating the Interaction of the Enteric Nervous System With the Extrinsic Nervous System and the Immune System in Children and Development of Cell Therapies for Hirschsprung's Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating Hirschsprung's Disease (HSCR), a condition where children lack normal nerve cells in the lower bowel, causing serious health risks if untreated. The study focuses on understanding how nerve stem cells from affected bowel areas may grow and develop, aiming to find new treatments that could avoid surgery and the need for a permanent stoma. This observational study explores nerve cell development and interactions in children with HSCR to improve future therapies. The study collects bowel tissue samples from children with HSCR, including both affected (aganglionic) and normal (ganglionic) bowel segments, as well as from children without HSCR undergoing bowel surgery. Researchers examine nerve stem cells grown in the lab as neurospheres to observe their growth and response to medications that might encourage nerve development. The study includes analyzing cells from the transition zone of the bowel to assess their potential for use in future cell therapies. During the study, participants will have their bowel tissue collected during therapeutic intestinal surgery, with no additional tissue removed for research. The main measurement is the successful optimization of a protocol to analyze single cells from human bowel tissue by March 2026. Researchers will study the nerve cells' growth, differentiation, and interactions, combining clinical and patient data. Participation involves no interventions beyond routine surgery, and the study will monitor outcomes to support the development of future treatments for HSCR. The study is expected to continue until March 2036.

Hirschsprung's Advances; Working Towards Autologous tIssue therapIes