A quantitative, multi-national and multi-stakeholder assessment of barriers to the adoption of cell therapies

Cellular therapies, such as stem cell–based treatments, have been widely researched and numerous products and treatments have been developed. Despite this, there has been relatively limited use of these technologies in the healthcare sector. This study sought to investigate the perceived barriers to this more widespread adoption. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed, based on the findings of a pilot study. This was distributed to an audience of clinicians, researchers and commercial experts in 13 countries. The results were analysed for all respondents, and also sub-grouped by geographical region, and by profession of respondents. The results of the study showed that the most significant barrier was manufacturing, with other factors such as efficacy, regulation and cost-effectiveness being identified by the different groups. This study further demonstrates the need for these important issues to be addressed during the development of cellular therapies to enable more widespread adoption of these treatments

Respondent characteristics.

<p>Respondent characteristics.</p

Opinions regarding placebo mechanisms, possible use and concerns regarding its use.

<p>Opinions regarding placebo mechanisms, possible use and concerns regarding its use.</p

Interactions between beliefs about placebo, the ethical stance and the clinical practice.

<p>Interactions between beliefs about placebo, the ethical stance and the clinical practice.</p

Frequency of placebo use and ethical stance of respondents.

<p>Frequency of placebo use and ethical stance of respondents.</p

RetractoBot: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of notifying authors that they have cited a retracted paper [Registered Report Stage 1 Protocol]

Background: There is a problem with the visibility of retractions, and many retracted papers continue to be cited as if they were still valid. It has been suggested that authors citing retracted papers should be contacted about it, but this has been deemed too challenging and has never been attempted.Design: This is a randomised controlled trial.Methods: All eligible retracted papers will be randomised either to the intervention (an email notifying authors of the citing papers about the fact that they have cited a retracted publication) or the control group (no notification email).Outcomes: The primary outcome will be the rate of citation of retracted papers during 12 months follow-up. The secondary outcomes will be a 24-month follow-up and the qualitative analysis of feedback from the authors in response to the intervention email.Conclusions: Our trial will investigate whether the number of citations of retracted papers can be reduced by notifying researchers that they cited a retracted paper.<br

A quantitative, multi-national and multi-stakeholder assessment of barriers to the adoption of cell therapies

Cellular therapies, such as stem cell–based treatments, have been widely researched and numerous products and treatments have been developed. Despite this, there has been relatively limited use of these technologies in the healthcare sector. This study sought to investigate the perceived barriers to this more widespread adoption. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed, based on the findings of a pilot study. This was distributed to an audience of clinicians, researchers and commercial experts in 13 countries. The results were analysed for all respondents, and also sub-grouped by geographical region, and by profession of respondents. The results of the study showed that the most significant barrier was manufacturing, with other factors such as efficacy, regulation and cost-effectiveness being identified by the different groups. This study further demonstrates the need for these important issues to be addressed during the development of cellular therapies to enable more widespread adoption of these treatments