[Doctors News] Konkuk University Prof. Aram Kim’s ‘Exosome Therapy for Cystitis’ Selected for Ministry of SMEs and Startups R&D Program

Prof. Aram Kim of the Department of Urology at Konkuk University Medical Center (left) and Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho of the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology at Konkuk University, CEO of StemExOne.

A new technology is being developed to treat cystitis using exosomes derived from stem cells isolated and cultured from gonadal tissues that are normally discarded following neutering procedures in companion animals.

A joint research team led by Prof. Aram Kim of Konkuk University College of Medicine and Konkuk University Medical Center, together with Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho of the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology at the KU Institute of Science and Technology and StemExOne, has been selected for the 2021 Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration R&D Program, Phase 1 (Preliminary Research) supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The project will receive a total of KRW 450 million in research funding.

The project is titled “Development of Companion Animal Cystitis Treatment Technology Using Exosomes Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Discarded after Neutering Surgery.”

The study aims to isolate stem cells from gonadal tissues discarded after neutering procedures in companion animals and culture them to obtain exosomes for the development of autologous or allogeneic cystitis therapies. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate safety and efficacy through animal studies and advance the technology toward clinical treatment.

Exosomes are substances secreted by cells for intercellular communication and contain many of the same biological components as their parent cells, including proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA.

Many diseases currently targeted by stem cell therapies are refractory or incurable, often requiring repeated or high-dose administration. Such approaches may present concerns, including an increased risk of tumor formation.

By contrast, stem cell-derived exosomes are considered to carry a lower tumorigenic risk while retaining many of the biological characteristics and therapeutic functions of their parent stem cells.

Interstitial cystitis and recurrent cystitis remain difficult-to-treat conditions, with patients often experiencing chronic lower abdominal pain and problems associated with antibiotic resistance.

While conducting research on stem cell-based treatments for cystitis, the joint research team identified the potential of exosomes to overcome some of the limitations of stem cell therapy while preserving its advantages. The team subsequently developed the concept further and filed a related patent application.

[Doctors News, Reporter Lee Young-jaegarden@kma.org]

Source: Doctors News(http://www.doctorsnews.co.kr)