Redefining What Medicine Can Achieve

My interest in regenerative medicine grew out of my background in neuroscience. When I was working as a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health in the United States, studying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression, I became increasingly aware of a fundamental limitation in conventional medicine.

Of course, pharmacological treatments and surgery play extremely important roles in modern medicine. At the same time, however, there are many areas where medicine can do little more than slow disease progression or manage symptoms, while struggling to address the loss of function itself.

Against this backdrop, I came to see cell therapy and regenerative medicine as a potential “third option” for areas that conventional drugs and surgery cannot easily reach. What drew me most strongly to this field was not only the possibility of treating disease, but also the question of how we can harness the body’s inherent capacity for repair and recovery. That possibility became one of the major reasons I decided to focus on regenerative medicine.

Opening New Frontiers in Care

I believe regenerative medicine is changing patient care in three major ways.

The first is in the area of preventive medicine and pre-symptomatic care. Many patients struggle with fatigue, declining physical strength, concerns about cognitive function or chronic discomfort, even when they do not meet the criteria for a clear diagnosis. In conventional insurance-based care, they may be told that they are “not ill,” but for the patient, these issues can have a very real impact on quality of life. Regenerative medicine may offer a new perspective in addressing these concerns.

The second area is as an additional treatment option for diseases that already have established standard therapies, such as diabetes or osteoarthritis of the knee. The significance of regenerative medicine is not that it replaces conventional treatment, but that it may broaden the range of options available according to each patient’s condition and treatment goals.

The third area is the challenge of diseases for which fundamental treatments remain limited, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. This does not mean that regenerative medicine is a universal solution for these conditions. However, I do believe it is helping to open new possibilities in fields where conventional medicine has not yet been able to provide sufficient answers.

Navigating the Challenge of Expectations

The most important challenge for regenerative medicine is how to protect and strengthen its credibility.

Today, terms such as “stem cell therapy” and “regenerative medicine” are used very broadly. In reality, however, treatments using rigorously quality-controlled autologous cells and products of unclear origin or manufacturing process are sometimes discussed under the same terminology. This is not a desirable situation for either patients or medical professionals.

The first priority is standardization of products and treatments. For example, we need clear, scientifically verifiable standards regarding cell characterization, surface markers, viability, sterility, safety and the avoidance of inappropriate pooling between patients. The term “stem cell” must carry scientific meaning, not simply serve as a marketing phrase.
The second priority is honesty about indications and expectations. Regenerative medicine is highly dependent on the patient’s own biological response. For that reason, statements such as “it works for everyone” or “it will definitely improve your condition” are inappropriate. Rather, physicians must carefully and honestly assess which patients are likely to benefit, and which cases require caution.

If we judge that meaningful benefit is unlikely, we must be willing not to recommend treatment or even to decline to provide it. I believe that this discipline is part of the responsibility of any clinician involved in regenerative medicine.

Principles That Shape Practice

The principle I value most is to keep asking, “What is the best thing we can do for the patient right now?”

Medicine is not built on technology and knowledge alone. No matter how innovative a treatment may be, it has little value unless it is truly meaningful for the patient. That is why I place great importance on continuing to learn and on approaching each individual case with sincerity and seriousness.

As a leader, I also believe it is essential to have a clear philosophy. When the pursuit of medicine that is genuinely necessary for patients becomes the foundation, the entire team naturally begins to share the same decision-making criteria. Rather than chasing sales or trends, we must continue to build on what is medically right. I believe that this attitude ultimately leads to a stronger sense of pride and motivation among the staff as well.

A Message to Future Pioneers

First, I would tell them to value science. Regenerative medicine is a field with tremendous potential, but it is also one in which marketing can move faster than evidence. Precisely for that reason, clinicians must continue to read papers, examine data and make decisions based on scientific judgment.

One of the most important assets a physician has is trust. Trust is not built all at once; it accumulates over time through daily clinical practice and decision-making. And that trust can only be protected by continuing to stand on the side of science and integrity.

I would also encourage them, whenever possible, to remain connected to primary research. In my own practice, important clinical decisions are still supported by careful consideration of each individual case and by reading the relevant scientific literature. The future of regenerative medicine will be shaped by medical professionals who can speak about cell quality and the meaning of treatment as science, not as sales language.

This field is still developing. That is exactly why I believe it is worth pursuing with sincerity, caution and a firm belief in its possibilities.