February 09, 2016
Trauma continues to be a leading cause of death in military and civilian populations worldwide, yet there are few effective therapeutic options to mitigate the consequences of various injuries. Although overall morbidity has improved in recent years, better patient outcomes are dependent on further research and innovative advancements. Cell-based therapies present a novel opportunity to advance trauma and critical care of individuals following injury. While this field is in its infancy, studies suggest stem cells may hold great potential for the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries, organ injuries, and injuries to limbs and extremities. However, there are barriers in the translation of these therapies that include regulatory obstacles, challenges in manufacturing and clinical trial design, and a lack of funding.
In February of this year, Booz Allen worked with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Combat Casualty Care Research Program to plan and execute a conference on the use of stem cells in the treatment of trauma. The result of this scientific conference was the recent publication of “Cellular Therapies in Trauma and Critical Care Medicine: Forging New Frontiers” in the journal Shock. This article was co-authored by Booz Allen lead scientist Dr. Alexia Karanikas.
The review covered the state-of-the-science of stem cell therapies in the treatment of major injuries and the associated barriers to translation, emphasizing the need for novel therapies for the advancement of this field. The goal of this work was to pique the research community’s interest and drive this promising field forward. The article was awarded the cover of this month’s issue of Shock, suggesting that perhaps the authors already seem to have made progress along the lines of furthering the publicity of this valuable and promising research area. The potential of cellular therapies in trauma care may improve mortality rates and lessen the burden of survivorship following trauma. Booz Allen’s work and expertise within the scientific and medical realm, as well as our partnerships with military medical research organizations, position the firm to further advance this complex field.
Booz Allen Hamilton has been at the forefront of strategy and technology for more than 110 years. This includes work as an industry leader in Military Health, where our team serves clients in both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and provides capabilities and service offerings such as healthcare optimization and transformation, health information technology and electronic health record systems, privacy and security, clinical operations, brain and behavioral health services, as well as strategic planning, communications and change management. We help clients identify ways to become more efficient and effective, while improving the readiness, healthcare quality, outcomes and access to care for military personnel and their families. With international headquarters in McLean, Virginia, the firm employs more than 22,500 people globally. To learn more, visit www.boozallen.com. (NYSE: BAH)
