Crohn's disease patients test experimental treatment of stem cells

It's a painful, chronic condition and, for some, incurable. More than 700,000 Americans suffer from Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract that can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

Today, British scientists have launched a new clinical study to test the use of stem cell therapy against inflammatory bowel disease.

Moeed Majeed has struggled to control his Crohn's disease in the last eight years.

"I remember suddenly having a lot of pain in the abdominal area, having to go to the bathroom a lot more, which was very unusual, and I did not eat much because it hurt," he told CBS News. .

Chronic pain and fatigue became so debilitating that he had to give up his studies and move home.

A new clinical trial at Queen Mary University in London is trying to help people like Majeed whose symptoms do not respond to available medications and surgery.

"What we do, is to use a patient's stem cells to reset his immune system," said Professor James Linsday, lead investigator.

Study the participants with Crohn's reception chemotherapy to clear their defective immune system. Doctors then use a stem cell transplant and hormone treatments to develop a new one.

Linsday says it's an intense treatment to combat what he calls a devastating disease.

"All we can do to eliminate this suffering is an excellent thing," he said.

The UK trial is a joint partnership with Bart's NHS Health. The same type of stem cell therapy has already been used successfully in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Majeed documents his health journey online. He spent more than two months in the hospital and years trying to find an effective treatment.

"The tests are great, I think it's great, especially with people who may be looking for a cure," he said.

The stem cell trial will take about four years. British scientists say that they see real potential for this approach to improve the lives of Crohn's patients.