Why We Focus on Autologous Stem Cells?
Using autologous stem cells in regenerative therapy for chronic stages of stroke offers advantages such as lower risk of immune rejection, fewer ethical and legal concerns, and greater adaptability. This enhances treatment safety and efficacy, enabling tailored therapies for individual patients.
| Feature | Autologous Cells | Allogeneic Cells (Cells from Others) |
|---|---|---|
| Engraftment Period | No immune rejection, long-term | Immune rejection possible, short-term |
| Cell Adaptability | Adapts to individual’s internal environment | Lower adaptability post-transplantation |
| Health Risks | Reduced infection risk, greater safety | Risk of viral or bacterial infections |
| Bone Marrow Acquisition | Harvested from self | Provided by donor (can be purchased from abroad) |
To enable long-term engraftment
Using autologous cells virtually eliminates the risk of immune rejection. When transplanting cells from another person, there is a possibility that the body may perceive them as foreign and attack them, but this concern is mitigated with autologous stem cells. This allows for prolonged engraftment of stem cells within the brain. Previous studies have confirmed that HUNS001, administered in earlier research, remained engrafted in patients’ brains for over five years.
Neuroregeneration typically requires several months to over a year. Maximizing treatment effectiveness in the chronic phase of stroke, where inflammation has subsided, critically depends on extending the period of engraftment within the brain.
Cell adaptability
Patient-specific cells are adapted to the individual’s internal environment, enhancing their adaptability post-transplantation and increasing the likelihood of them functioning effectively as intended in the targeted area.
Reduced secondary health risks
Using cells from another person carries risks of viral or bacterial infections, which are minimized when using autologous cells. Additionally, due to their own tissue origin, autologous cells provide greater assurance of safety.
Ethical and legal considerations
Utilizing cells from another person or embryonic stem cells raises ethical concerns and regulatory issues. However, these concerns are not applicable when using autologous cells. In Japan, regulations such as the “Organ Transplant Law” and regulations regarding human tissues prohibit the sale of bone marrow and operate under a donor registration system via bone marrow banks.