2025-01-23
Mahidol University has launched an ambitious initiative to produce living cell-based medicines, which could revolutionize the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases in Thailand and the region. At Human Interaction for Systematic Innovation Forum The university's vision to create the country's first factory for advanced cell-based therapies – MU Bioplant – was presented.
Groundbreaking cancer treatments
Cell therapies, an alternative to chemotherapy, use the patient's own cells, modified to fight cancer more effectively. According to Mahidol University, this is a crucial step in reducing the negative effects of chemotherapy, such as impaired immune function and drug resistance.
“We see this as a way to redefine cancer treatment,” explained Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, vice president of research at Mahidol University. “With living cell-based therapies, we can offer more personalized treatment and give patients a better quality of life.”
Strengthening Thailand as a medical center
MU Bioplant will focus on the production of advanced drugs for both blood cancers, such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Professor Stephen Ebinger from MIT highlighted the importance of innovation through human-centered design and pointed out that Mahidol University is at the forefront of this field.
Differences between cell therapies and chemotherapy
| Trait | Cell therapies | Chemotherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment technique | Uses the patient's own modified cells | Uses chemical substances to kill cancer cells |
| Goals | Personalized and targeted treatment | Broad treatment that affects both healthy and diseased cells |
| Side effects | Fewer and milder side effects | Common side effects such as hair loss and immune suppression |
| Efficiency | Promising results for specific cancers | Effective but with risk of drug resistance |
| Long-term goal | Replace or complement traditional treatments | Standard treatment for many types of cancer |
Source:
This article is based on reporting from Thailand NTT, which was first to report the news.
Text: The editorial staff
Image license: jarmoluk, Pixabay, original image