Human stem cells-advanced cell therapy II

Advanced therapies including cell therapies are one of the fundamental research and development orientations of biomedicine in the last decade. The proof of outstanding relevance of this field is Nobel Prize in 2012 awarded to Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka for discovery that adult differentiated cells can be returned to the pluripotent state. Central questions refer to embryonic SC, which have, because of their pluripotency the best therapeutic characteristics, but their use is still controversial due to ethical concerns. Because of this alternative approaches using embryonic-like cells are very important. Alternative cell sources are post-natal and adult tissues, for example cord blood, bone marrow or peripheral blood of adults. Findings from the first part of the project (preclinical research) and the development of effective procedures for stem cell differentiation into all three germ cell layers (endo-, ecto- and mesoderm) in vitro allows us to understand the development of adult SC. This knowledge will soon help us to replace the use of embryonic SC, which is a huge step in the development of cell therapies. Cell culture in vitro and various differentiation techniques that enable us to produce mature specialized cells for example platelets will allow us to produce blood cells in vitro. In the future we will be able to grow bone marrow transplants in the laboratory. These techniques will in future replace the traditional forms of transfusions using blood donors. Findings from the second part of the project (clinical research) are the basis for wider clinical use of different types of stem and other cells. The positive outcome of these studies has led to expansion of indications for advanced cell treatments in the area of degenerative disorders of the skeletal system, wound healing, treatment of cardiovascular diseases, liver disease and cancer. Indications for the use of cell therapy are rapidly expanding, observed annual increase in these procedures is 400%. Today these techniques have already replaced organ transplants where the number of donor organs is very low, for example heart transplantation in patients with severe myocardiopathy. They also allow efficient immunoadoptive cancer therapy and are at the same time a model for other branches of clinical medicine where our methodology will be used for practical therapy in clinics in the future.

The National Research Program P3-0371 - Human stem cells- advanced cell therapies II is the first of its kind in Slovenia. It has a broad and numerous range of effects. It is important because it has a direct effect on the economy and society. Quality and superior medical services enable citizens successful treatments and a high level of quality of life. Replacement of damaged or diseased tissues greatly aids to the successful treatment and rapid rehabilitation. In this way, excellent direct and indirect effects on patients and society as a whole can be achieved. It also has significance for the industry, as the advanced cell therapies have become a new branch of medicine, which in developed countries generates many new jobs. In Slovenia, the development of these technologies still lags behind. Therefore, we believe that our research program contributed to the visibility, usability and promotion of medical biotechnology. We estimate that in the new program, several jobs were open. We can expect further development of intellectual property, new international patents and the creation of spin-off companies. It is logical to expect that, like in the rest of the world, through the development of these activities in our country small medical biotech companies are created. It also has significance for social infrastructure. In the past 10 years, being aware of new flows in the world of science, we succeeded to create a solid infrastructure, human resources and solid achievements in the field of medical biotechnology. This branch of medicine is very propulsive as a manufacturing industry, being environmentally friendly and enabling sustainable development of the economy, medicine as well as medical tourism, and of the Academia, i.e. higher education and science. It also has certain relevance for public administration, cultural development, protection of natural and cultural heritage. Namely, these activities are ecologically pure and virtuous, based on the high technology and knowledge. The program is a further opportunity for international recognition of Slovenia, it allows integration at the international level, and it has opened opportunities for participation in the EU's FW7, enabled appropriate education and professional development.