Research
Research
Regenerative Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease and Beyond Using Stem Cells
In 2018, the world’s first physician-led clinical trial was initiated by Kyoto University using allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) through cell transplantation therapy. This clinical trial used induced dopaminergic progenitor cells derived from iPS cells, which were surgically transplanted into the brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Similar clinical trials using iPS cells or embryonic stem (ES) cells have also been launched one after another in North America, Europe, and Korea.
However, the differentiation of cells as donors is only one aspect of the challenge. To establish regenerative medicine as a safe and effective treatment, many important questions still need to be addressed. Some of these clinical questions include: Which patient populations are the most suitable for transplantation? And what are the optimal methods for transplanting these cells?
The Department of Regenerative Medicine is actively exploring these questions through a wide range of research experiments, with a particular focus on cell-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Another area of emphasis in our lab is the regulation of immune responses following transplantation. Understanding and mitigating immune rejection is vital to ensuring long-term graft survival and therapeutic efficacy. Our work also extends beyond Parkinson’s disease. We are also conducting near-clinical translational research aimed at developing regenerative strategies for the central nervous system and other organs.
Clinical application
Our hospital is staffed with experts across various clinical fields and has a well-established infrastructure for clinical trials. Leveraging these advantages, we will advance the clinical application of cell therapy in the hospital. Initially, we will focus on promoting cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease, which is our area of expertise. Additionally, we will explore regenerative medicine in other fields such as CAR-T therapy that are anticipated to grow in the future.
News
Recruitment
Topics
- 2025.07
- A technical staff member, Mr. Joey Takemasa Russell, joined the lab.
- 2025.04
- A paper titled “Phase I/II trial of iPS-cell-derived dopaminergic cells for Parkinson’s disease” was published in Nature.
- 2024.11
- Dr. Morizane has been appointed Director of the Center for Cell Therapy at our hospital.
- 2024.9
- A book chapter titled “The future: Stem cells? Current clinical trials using stem cells for dopaminergic cell replacement” (Elsevier) was published.
- 2024.4
- A review paper titled “Dopaminergic Cell Replacement for Parkinson’s Disease: Addressing the Intracranial Delivery Hurdle” was published in J Parkinsons Dis.
- 2023.2
- A review paper titled “Cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease with induced pluripotent stem cells” was published in Inflammation & Regeneration https://rdcu.be/c6wtX.
Members
update: 2025/8/4
(Director) Asuka Morizane, MD, PhD
| Graduation year | 1996 Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan |
|---|---|
| Areas of expertise and qualifications |
Board-Certified Neurosurgeon (Japan) |
| Concurrent posts, etc. | Doctor of Medicine, Kyoto University Delegate, Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine |
