Regenerative Medicine
Mission
Regenerative medicine uses cells and artificial materials to regenerate damaged functions in tissues and organs that have become dysfunctional or malfunctioning. It has the potential to bring about new medical treatments for injuries and illnesses that previously had no treatment. Regenerative medicine technology is also being used to clarify the causes of incurable diseases and develop medicines.
Regenerative Medicine at Our Hospital
We are currently providing Autologous Peripheral Blood CD34-Positive Cell Transplantation for
- Patients with Chronic Severe Limb Ischemia (elective treatment)
- Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (clinical research)
By providing regenerative therapy as an elective treatment (self-funded) or in clinical research, we committed to accumulate evidence of the efficacy and safety of regenerative medicine so that in the future, regenerative medicine will become a standard treatment and accessible to everyone.
Achievements
- In a clinical trial conducted in 2015 involving six dialysis patients with severe limb ischemia, a 100% amputation-free survival rate was achieved one year after autologous CD34-positive cell transplantation therapy (Ohtake T et al. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2018).
- In a clinical trial conducted from 2022 to 2023 involving patients with chronic progressive kidney disease, improvements in eGFR and intrarenal resistive index were observed in the initial study of four cases following autologous CD34-positive cell transplantation therapy (Ohtake T et al. World J Stem Cells. 2024).
Leading Expert
Dr. Takayuki Asahara is renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a pivotal element in vascular regeneration mechanisms, published in the prestigious journal Science in 1997. Globally recognized as a leading academic researcher in his field, Dr. Asahara’s EPC research has been clinically applied to various vascular regeneration therapies, treating diseases such as kidney failure, lower limb vascular ischemic disease, chronic liver cirrhosis, and spinal cord injury.
BACKGROUND:
- Tokyo Medical College (M.D. 1984)
- St. Elizabeth’s Hospital fellowship in Boston (1993-1995)
- Assistant professor, Tufts University School of Medicine (1995-2000)
- Assistant professor, Tokai University, Institute of Medical Sciences (2000-2002)
- Professor, Tokai University, School of Medicine (2002-2021)
- Deputy Director of Shonan Research Institute of Innovative Medicine (2021-present)
Takayuki Asahara
Deputy Director of Shonan Research Institute of Innovative Medicine
Dr. Takayasu Ohtake specializes in vascular regenerative and anti-inflammatory treatments using EPCs. In 2015, he conducted a clinical trial with dialysis patients suffering from critical limb ischemia, achieving an 83% improvement rate from severe to mild disease and a 100% amputation-free survival rate (Ohtake T et al. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2018). He now offers elective treatment for patients with peripheral arterial disease not undergoing dialysis and has initiated trials for autologous CD34-positive cell therapy in acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease, showing promising results (Ohtake T et al. World J Stem Cells. 2024). Ongoing studies continue in Japan and internationally.
BACKGROUND:
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (1987)
- Hamamatsu University Hospital and Fujinomiya Municipal Hospital
- Head of Nephrology, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital (2002-2012)
- Chief Director of Nephrology, Immunology, and Vascular Medicine, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital (2012-2018)
- Vice Director, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital (2018-present)
- Head of Regenerative Medicine, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital (2018-present)
Takayasu Ohtake
Head of Regenerative Medicine Department
&
Vice Director of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital
