We Are Tomodachi Summer 2017

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25Then, in March 2017, Dr. Takahashi and her team made another important step forward. While the 2014 surgery had used cells generated from the patient’s own tissues, Dr. Takahashi and her team succeeded this time in the world’s first transplantation of RPE cells generated from iPS cells that originated from another person (called “allogeneic transplantation”) to treat a patient with wet-type AMD. Currently, the patient is being monitored for the possibility of rejection, which is a risk of allogeneic transplantation. Regarding the significance of the operation, Dr. Takahashi explains that “allogeneic transplantation substantially reduces the time and cost required in producing RPE cells, creating opportunities for even more patients to undergo surgeries. Hearing patients’ eager expectations firsthand when working as a clinician has also been a significant motivation.”Dr. Takahashi’s team is currently making preparations for clinical studies that will target retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye disease, by transplanting photoreceptor cells. “Having my mind set on wanting to see applications of iPS cells in treatments as quickly as possible, I have been actively involved in the creation of the regulations for their practical applications in regenerative medicine. In Japan, where clinical studies and clinical trials can be conducted at the same time, there is significant merit in the fact that research can be carried out by doctors who also work in medical settings. This helps ensure that they proceed with a sense of responsibility and strong ethics. Our advanced clinical studies have attracted the attention of researchers working in regenerative medicine in various countries. I intend to maintain a rapid pace of research so that we can treat the illnesses of as many patients as possible.”In the 2017 operation, just as in 2014, the surgery itself was conducted by Dr. Takahashi’s collaborator Dr. Yasuo Kurimoto, director of the Department of Ophthalmology of Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital. The operation was undertaken by a team of six members and was completed on schedule in approximately one hour.©Kobe City Medical Center General HospitalDr. Takahashi has been a key player in building the plans for the Kobe Eye Center, which is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2017. The comprehensive facility will include departments focused on fundamental research and clinical application of iPS cells for retinal regeneration and other practical uses for regenerative medicine, as well as departments that will provide rehabilitation and employment support to patients with visual impairments.One feature of the 2017 surgery was that it used iPS cells generated from another individual whose HLA (human leukocyte antigen) type matched that of the patient. This approach is expected to better suppress rejection responses compared with conventional allogeneic transplantations.Autologous transplantation (patient’s own cells)Allogeneic transplantation (another person’s cells)TimeLong preparation periodShort preparation periodCostHighLowDifferences between autologous and allogeneic transplantations