【for English】Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine Using Autologous Stem Cells

"Regenerative medicine" is an advanced treatment technology that harnesses the human body's natural regenerative ability. It is currently one of the most innovative and promising techniques in modern medicine. At our clinic, we offer regenerative therapy using autologous mesenchymal stem cells, which are harvested and cultured from the patient's own adipose (fat) tissue. Because these stem cells originate from the patient, the risk of side effects common with drug therapies is minimal, and the treatment places very little strain on the body.

Our bodies are composed of approximately 37 trillion cells. Among them, around 20 billion cells die each day. However, due to a self-regulatory mechanism known as homeostasis, these cells are continuously replenished through the generation of new ones. At the core of this regenerative process are stem cells. Stem cells also play a crucial role in repairing and regenerating damaged tissues. Two key properties define stem cells: self-renewal, the ability to replicate themselves, and differentiation, the ability to transform into other types of cells.
Stem cells can be broadly categorized into two groups. The first includes pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which have the potential to differentiate into virtually any cell type in the body. The second group consists of tissue-specific stem cells, which are found in specific organs or tissues—such as the skin or blood—and function to replace lost or damaged cells within those regions. Examples of tissue-specific stem cells include bone marrow stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells.
Among these, adipose-derived stem cells are particularly notable. Compared to ES or iPS cells, they pose fewer ethical concerns and carry a lower risk of tumor formation. Furthermore, unlike bone marrow stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells can be harvested with relatively minimal physical burden on the patient.
Once administered, stem cells exhibit a phenomenon known as homing, whereby they migrate to sites of injury. There, they contribute to tissue repair through mechanisms such as promoting angiogenesis, modulating inflammation, and supporting nerve regeneration.
Stem cell therapy holds great promise as an innovative approach for the treatment of intractable diseases. However, it is still considered an emerging field under active investigation. At present, the scientific evidence regarding its safety and efficacy is not yet fully established, and patients should proceed with a thorough understanding of both the potential benefits and associated uncertainties.

Our clinic has received approval to provide regenerative medicine across 15 categories, making these treatments widely accessible for the management of intractable diseases, anti-aging, preventive care, and early intervention.

Requirements for Providing Regenerative Medicine

In Japan, regenerative medicine is regulated under the "Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine." The following steps are required to provide regenerative therapy using stem cells:

1. Create a Type II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan.
2. Obtain review and approval from a Certified Special Committee for Regenerative Medicine regarding the safety and validity of the plan.
3. Submit the treatment plan to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW).
4. Receive MHLW review and acceptance.
5. Publicly list the facility as a provider of regenerative medicine.

Treatment Features

【１】This therapy may improve functional decline or disorders that are difficult to treat with standard medical care.

It is applicable to: Indications for Regenerative Medicine:

1. Age-related physical and physiological decline
2. Musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., sports-related)
3. Arteriosclerosis (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
4. Chronic pain
5. Cognitive decline
6. Neurodegenerative diseases
7. Chronic pulmonary diseases
8. Heart failure
9. Chronic kidney disease
10. Liver dysfunction (cirrhosis, fibrosis)
11. Inflammatory bowel disease
12. Aneurysms
13. Diabetes
14. Infertility
15. Alopecia (hair loss)

【２】By using the patient's own stem cells, this therapy ensures safety and avoids ethical concerns.

We use adipose-derived tissue stem cells, which are:

• ・Easy to harvest from subcutaneous fat
• ・Highly applicable for treatment (strong proliferative ability with minimal aging effects)
• ・Safe, with no risk of rejection since the cells are autologous
• ・Free of the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells (ES cells)

We extract a small amount of fat (about the size of two rice grains) from the abdomen under local anesthesia. These are then processed in our on-site Cell Processing Center (CPC), where the stem cells are isolated, cultured, and later administered via IV, arterial catheter, intrathecal injection, or localized injection. The treatment is minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis.

【3】Unlike iPS or ES cell-based treatments, our method avoids the risk of tumor formation.

【4】Treatment is available to patients aged 18 and older who do not have infectious diseases such as HIV, HCV, HBV, HTLV, or syphilis.

Treatment Process

1. Initial Consultation(Foreign patients are asked to bring an interpreter.)
   Includes counseling and treatment explanation. If you wish to proceed, you'll complete a consent form and undergo blood tests and other assessments.
2. Fat Harvesting
   A small amount of fat is collected from the abdomen under local anesthesia (requires a few millimeters of incision).
3. Cell Culturing
   Harvested fat is processed and cultured in our on-site CPC for 4–6 weeks. Cultured cells are stored at -160°C for future use if needed.



▲Cell processing conducted by a cell culturist in a biosafety cabinet



▲Adipose-derived stem cells cultured from isolated cells

4. Cell Administration
   Administered via IV drip, arterial catheter, intrathecal injection, or local injection, depending on the treatment needs. Intrathecal delivery is particularly promising for neurodegenerative conditions.Follow-up treatments are possible using the stored frozen cells.

Case Reports

Case 1: Male in his 60s with Lewy Body Dementia
Diagnosed at a university hospital and treated with standard medications, but cognitive decline worsened. After two stem cell treatments, his MMSE score improved significantly within a month, and sleep disturbances resolved. He continues with additional treatments for further improvement.

Case 2: Female in her 80s with Arteriosclerosis and Chronic Elbow Pain
Came in for knee pain and was also diagnosed with arteriosclerosis. After two treatments, plaque thickness in the carotid artery improved. Following three additional treatments, her knee pain nearly disappeared. She now leads an active life free of discomfort.

Treatment Costs

• ・Regenerative stem cell therapy is not covered by insurance and is provided as private medical care.
• ・Treatment fees may vary between clinics due to its classification under private medical practice, despite being regulated by the MHLW.
• ・Our clinic maintains an in-house cleanroom for cell processing, ensuring prompt and safe cell administration without degradation.
• ・We also offer long-term storage solutions for repeated treatments.