Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary genetic skin disorder, classified as a type of genodermatosis, which causes severe, chronic skin blisters associated with painful and potentially life-threatening complications. Currently, there is no effective therapy or cure for EB. However, over the past decade, there have been several important advances in treatment methods, which are now approaching clinical application, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy, cell therapy (allogeneic fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells), bone marrow stem cell transplant, culture/vaccination of revertant mosaic keratinocytes, gene editing/engineering, and the clinical application of inducible pluripotent stem cells. Tissue engineering scientists are developing materials that mimic the structure and natural healing process to promote skin reconstruction in the event of an incurable injury. Although a cure for EB remains elusive, recent data from animal models and preliminary human clinical trials have raised the expectations of patients, clinicians, and researchers, where modifying the disease and improving patients' quality of life are now considered attainable goals. In addition, the lessons learned from the treatment of EB may improve the treatment of other genetic diseases.