Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to generate industrial-scale of super NK cells for cancer treatment
Overview
Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health (CRMH) has developed an innovative technical system that enables both the efficient generation of human iPSCs derived from urine cells and the rapid production of natural killer (NK) cells through differentiation of iPSCs for use in cancer immunotherapy.
Problem addressed
Malignant tumors (cancer) pose a serious threat to human health. Current conventional therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have inherent limitations. Immune cell therapy has emerged as a novel treatment strategy, but its accessibility remains constrained by challenges including limited cell sources and high costs.
Innovation
- Establishment of clinical-grade hPSC cell banks in Hong Kong
- Generation of industrial scale immune cell products
Key impact
- hPSC-derived natural killer cell (NK) therapy is regarded as a safe, low cost, and high versatility advanced therapeutic product (ATP).
Application
- hPSCs derived NK(iNKs) cells to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- hPSCs derived NK(iNKs) cells to treat solid tumors
As the branch organization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation (HKISI) is the first national research institution in Hong Kong SAR approved by the central government of China. Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health (CRMH), the subsidiary of HKISI, is supported by the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences. CRMH is funded by CAS and the InnoHK program from the Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR government. With its focus on stem cell therapy & genomic editing, developmental biology, and drug discovery, CRMH promotes the globalization of regenerative medicine research and achievements.
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