In 2007, Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka and his team made a groundbreaking discovery by reprogramming skin cells to resemble an embryonic state using four genes, now known as "Yamanaka factors." This achievement, which did not require the use of embryos, opened up new possibilities for treating diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's, and diabetes.
Yamanaka's motivation was to find an alternative to using human embryos for research and treatment. He believed that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could provide a more ethical approach, although they do raise other ethical concerns such as the ability to engineer sperm and egg cells from skin cells.
Currently, there are over 50 clinical trials using iPSCs for various medical treatments, with promising results in areas such as Type 1 diabetes and corneal disease. Yamanaka is optimistic about the potential for iPSCs in treating Parkinson's disease and cancer immunotherapy.
The use of iPSCs has also led to the development of off-the-shelf immunotherapies, which could provide a temporary solution for patients waiting for personalized treatments like CAR-T cell therapy. With advancements in gene editing technology like CRISPR, the process of creating these therapies has become more streamlined.
Companies like BlueRock Therapeutics and GC Therapeutics are utilizing iPSCs in clinical trials and developing new cell therapy platforms to deliver treatments faster and more efficiently. Altos Labs, funded by Jeff Bezos and other investors, is researching the use of "Yamanaka genes" to extend lifespans and potentially treat aging.
Overall, Yamanaka's reprogramming discovery has revolutionized biomedical research and opened up a world of possibilities for treating diseases previously thought untreatable. The field of cell therapy is just beginning to explore the full potential of iPSCs, and the future looks promising for patients in need of innovative treatments.