Japan succeeds with stem cell "gamble"

Japan is on the brink of a medical revolution with significant advances in the use of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, according to Nature.

With more than 110 billion yen ($760 million) in government investment, along with billions of dollars from private and corporate donors, the country is leading the world in stem cell treatment.

Recent successes in treating Parkinson's disease have opened up new prospects for regenerative medicine. A research team led by Dr. Jun Takahashi treated seven patients by implanting between 5 and 10 million cells into the brain.

After two years of follow-up, the results showed that at least four patients had significant improvements in symptoms such as tremors and muscle stiffness. Notably, some patients were even able to live independently without regular medication.

In the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Masayo Takahashi has achieved remarkable success in the treatment of macular degeneration. A 70-year-old patient who was treated has maintained his vision for 10 years, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of this method.

Recently, the team has improved the treatment technique, using thin cell strips and less invasive surgical methods, making the recovery process faster and safer for patients.

Another important step forward comes from the research of scientist Hideyuki Okano at Keio University in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

Of the four patients treated, one was able to stand up and practice walking, while another was able to move some muscles in his arms and legs. These results, although still preliminary, have opened up new hope for patients paralyzed by spinal cord injuries.

To meet the growing demand for treatment, Japan is investing heavily in stem cell production infrastructure. Sumitomo Pharma has built the world's first iPS cell production facility in Osaka.

At the same time, Dr. Masayo Takahashi's team developed an autonomous robot capable of producing enough cells for more than 800 treatments within 4 months, marking an important step forward in automation and improving production efficiency.

However, the industry still faces many challenges. High treatment costs, which can be up to 10 million yen (1.8 billion VND) per case, make access to treatment difficult for many patients.

Researchers also have to constantly check to make sure the cells don’t develop into cancer cells. Although Japan has a fast-track approval process for regenerative medicine, researchers still have to prove the treatment’s long-term effectiveness.

To address the cost issue, the myiPS project in Osaka is working to reduce the cost of autologous cell production to 1 million yen per patient. With a system of 48 advanced cell culturing machines and plans to expand to 150 more, the project promises to make stem cell treatment more widespread and accessible in the future.

With these remarkable advances, Japan is at the forefront of turning stem cell therapy from idea to reality, opening up new hope for millions of patients around the world.

The combination of cutting-edge scientific research, technological investment and the determination of scientists is gradually turning the seemingly impossible into possible, marking a new era in regenerative medicine.

At Fujita Haneda University Clinic, which is expected to be the first to offer these advanced therapies, ophthalmologist Yoko Ozawa is working with Dr. Takahashi to identify potential patients. She is confident that the large investments in iPS cells will pay off.

Although patients may initially be hesitant about this treatment, she believes that "after a few successful treatments, more people will come to seek it out"./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nhat-ban-thanh-cong-voi-canh-bac-te-bao-goc-post1033251.vnp