Our general interest is focused on planning and performing novel therapeutic strategies for intractable hematological disorders.
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| (1) Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) |
As many as 450 cases of allogeneic or autologous HSCT have been performed and HSCT-related complications including acute/chronic GvHD and opportunistic infection have been treated until 2003.
We developed recombinant human G-CSF and played a leading role in demonstrating its remarkable usefulness in HSCT.
Based on our achievement as a main hub of HSCT centers in Japan, we greatly contributed to found the Japan Marrow Donor Program (JMDP) and have been continuously working for JMDP in not only transplantation but also collection of unrelated donor marrows.
Recent years unrelated cord blood has turned to be our major stem cell source in HSCT.
Since 1998 we have performed up to 60 cases of CBT in adults, which appears a distinguished experience in the world.
During such a transition of our stem cell source, immunological reconstitution from the CB graft as well as the pathophysiology of GvHD and GvL is becoming our main theme to be elucidated, and we are now engaged in the basic research on novel therapeutic application of CB HSC and mesenchymal stem cells.
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| (2) Gene Therapy |
As a collaboration study with Cell Genesys Co, other departments in IMSUT and other university hospitals,
we carried out a gene therapy protocol in which the safety and efficacy of autologous cancer vaccine transduced with GM-CSF cDNA was tested against stage IV renal cell cancer.
Based on the results of this trial, we are now developing our own clinical gene therapy protocols for hematological malignancies,
especially focusing on gene-modified leukemia/lymphoma vaccine in combination with allogeneic HSCT.
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| (3) Cell and Molecular Targeted Therapy |
Humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) and Abl-specific tyrosin kinase inhibitor
(imatinib mesylate) are representative promising drugs in the field of cell and molecular targeted therapy.
We are trying to apply these drugs to other disorders than those originally approved for use (B cell lymphoma and CML, respectively).
In addition, we are also performing basic studies on macromolecular agents including recombinant toxins and immunoadhesins as well as small molecule agents such as novel kinase inhibitors and cytokine synthesis inhibitors.
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