Investigator-led clinical trials conducted in our department
- Investigation of spinal cord regeneration therapy using cultured autologous bone marrow stromal cell transplantation for acute spinal cord injury (Phase I and II clinical trial)
- Regenerative therapy for damaged sensory nerves using "heparin-alginate b-FGF complex"
- Regenerative treatment of pressure ulcers and skin ulcers (burn ulcers, leg ulcers) using b-FGF-containing freeze-dried heparin alginate gel sponge.
Research grants received to advance these studies
Overview of research to date
1. FY2017-2019 (210 million yen planned)
- AMED Strategic Promotion Program for Translational Research: Seeds B
Project title: Development of nerve regeneration support material for peripheral nerve injury
Research director: Yoshihisa Suzuki
Erectile dysfunction caused by cavernous plexus damage after prostate cancer removal and urinary dysfunction caused by pelvic plexus damage after uterine or rectal cancer removal can lead to a decline in quality of life. However, nerve regeneration in these damaged plexuses has been deemed impossible and has been neglected. The purpose of this research is to develop a sheet-type artificial nerve that can also be used to reconstruct defects in the nerve plexus, which forms a complex nerve network. We are currently evaluating the effectiveness of this material in rats using covalently cross-linked alginate. By the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we are beginning to see results suggesting that this material can improve erectile dysfunction and urinary dysfunction. Meanwhile, we consulted with the PMDA in March 2018 and are currently preparing a roadmap for clinical trials. Simultaneously, we are conducting absorbability tests of the test material in dogs. This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Department of Urology at Akita University and Mochida Pharmaceutical.
2. FY2017-2019 (17.42 million yen planned)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
Project title: Development of a novel regenerative therapy after spinal cord injury: Elucidation of the mechanism of cerebral injury and repair using bone marrow cells
Research director: Yoshihisa Suzuki
3. Fiscal year 2018 (2.72 million yen planned)
- AMED Strategic Promotion Program for Translational Research: Seeds A
Project title: Development of a mononuclear cell separation bag for the treatment of spinal cord injury and cerebral infarction using bone marrow mononuclear cells
Research director: Yoshihisa Suzuki
4. FY2018-2020
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Project title: Suppression of scarring in central and peripheral nerve axon regeneration
Research representative: Namiko Ishikawa
5. FY2018-2020
- Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Young Researchers
Project title: Study on lymphangiogenesis from artificial lymph nodes - Effect of adding adipose-derived stromal cells
Research representative: Kosuke Takeda
