Fetal Treatment Research

Fetal therapy is a very young and rapidly developing science. Essentially all the relevant scientific knowledge, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic innovations have been developed in the last two decades. And, most of this knowledge comes directly from research—both experimental basic research in animal models and clinical research in human patients.

The paradigm that launched fetal intervention 25 years ago in San Francisco has served as a model for the development of fetal therapy around the world. This paradigm requires exploration of the pathophysiology of the fetal disease in experimental animal models, and the definition of the natural history and outcome of the untreated disease by careful serial observation of fetuses with the disease. Only when the experimental pathophysiology is worked out, the natural history understood, selection criteria established, and the intervention tested for safety, is a new fetal intervention offered patients.

This mixture of experimental and clinical research has been a constant feature of the Fetal Treatment Center approach for the last 25 years. It has been and continues to be powered by bright, young scientists and physicians from many different disciplines who have been attracted to the challenges and excitement of developing the field of fetal intervention. An overview of the development of fetal therapy and a representative list of the individuals involved and the research topics they covered is available in a recent review article [Harrison MR. Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 2004;19(6):513-24;]

The range of research done at the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center can be appreciated by scanning the titles of publications in the curriculum vitae of Michael Harrison. The best overview of the broad range of research covered in developing fetal therapy worldwide is found in the third edition of The Unborn Patient

Clinical Research

Ongoing clinical research includes three randomized clinical trials supported by the National Institutes of Health. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial is a three-center study (UCSF, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Vanderbilt University Medical Center) comparing prenatal surgical repair of myelomeningocele to standard postnatal care. The Twin-Twin Transfusion Trial is a multicenter study comparing laser ablation of placental vessels to amnioreduction in the treatment of severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome. We are just completing our second trial on fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia—this one compares fetal temporary tracheal balloon occlusion with standard postnatal repair of severe CDH.

CCAM Prenatal Steroid Clinical Trial

In a few cases where fetal surgery to remove the CCAM is not possible and the fetus is still too immature to delivery, we give steroids to the mother. We have seen hydrops resolve after steroid treatment in a few cases, and we are currently studying the biology of this potential treatment to see if it will help shrink the CCAM.

You may be eligible to be considered for this clinical trial. For more information please visit Investigation of Prenatal Steroids for Treatment of Prenatally Diagnosed CCAMs.

Experimental Research

Experimental research continues in the laboratory on a variety of potentially curable fetal diseases, including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital heart disease, and diseases that can be cured by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Presently, our most intensive laboratory research is focused on solving the general problem of safe access to the fetus early in gestation, including the problem of membrane separation after intervention and the development of new smaller and better minimally invasive techniques.

Note: Research specific to individual defects are located within that particular defect section:

Current General Fetal Treatment Research

Preterm Labor Factors in Patients Undergoing Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin

Study analyzing fetal surgery and preterm labor.
Maternal Outcomes of Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin
Study analyzing the maternal risks of fetal surgical interventions.

Publications:

Golombeck K, Ball RH, Lee H, Farrell JA, Farmer DL, Jacobs VR, Rosen MA, Filly RA, Harrison MR. Maternal morbidity after maternal-fetal surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar;194(3):834-9.
Adhesive and Tensile Properties of Amniotic Membranes - Harrison, Michael
Examination of a novel preventive “presealant” to protect amniotic membranes during fetal surgery.

Publications:

Cortes RA, Wagner AJ, Lee H, Clifton MS, Grethel E, Yang SH, Ball R, Harrison MR. Pre-emptive placement of a presealant for amniotic access. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Sep;193(3 Pt 2):1197-203
Evaluation of Thoracoscopic and Laparoscopic Techniques for Pediatric and Fetal Congenital Defects - Lee, Hanmin
Study evaluting recent advances in fetal treatment.

Publications:

Cortes RA, Farmer DL. Recent advances in fetal surgery. Semin Perinatol. 2004 Jun;28(3):199-211.

Ball RH. Invasive fetal testing. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Apr;16(2):159-62