In the earlier years, a cancer diagnosis seemed like a death sentence, with irreversible complications and the relentless spread of cancer cells. Celebrities like Amanda Chu, who gained fame through the TV series “The Fierce Wife,” and the renowned Korean artist Kim Yoo-Bin, have both experienced a dark battle against cancer...
Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, in addition to conventional surgical resection, radiation therapy, and the well-known chemotherapy (chemical and targeted therapy), the promising dawn of “cellular therapy” is revealing its potential as the future of medicine!
The most well-known application of cellular therapy can be traced back to the 19th century with bone marrow transplantation, which involves the transfer of hematopoietic stem cells into the body to improve conditions such as leukemia and lymphoma. It goes beyond the use of drugs or surgical interventions to destroy or slow down diseases. Instead, it harnesses the regenerative capacity of one’s own “stem cells” to self-repair damaged tissues.
George Q. Daley, an American biologist, boldly stated, “If the 20th century was the era of drug therapy, the 21st century is the era of cellular therapy!”
According to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), in their 2019 report on the state of the regenerative medicine industry, there are currently over a thousand applications for cellular therapy in human trials worldwide. Among them, 58% are for the treatment of cancer tumors, with cardiovascular diseases and central nervous system disorders tied for second place. Other areas of focus include musculoskeletal problems, inherited metabolic diseases, and ophthalmic disorders.
In Taiwan, since 2018, the “Regulations Governing the Application or Use of Specific Medical Techniques or Examinations, or Medical Devices” have been incorporated to regulate cellular therapy technologies. It defines six cellular therapy categories that can be conducted in approved medical institutions within the country. These therapies are used for cancer patients who have failed standard treatments, terminally ill cancer patients, autologous chondrocyte implantation for knee cartilage defects, and autologous adipose-derived stem cell transplantation for large-area burns and difficult-to-heal wounds.
As of the end of September 2022, nearly 200 treatment plans have been approved in Taiwan, benefiting approximately 800 patients, marking the beginning of a new era in cellular medicine in Taiwan.
