[Interview] Dr. Suk-Jung Kim, Orthopedic Surgeon, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea
Dr. Suk-Jung Kim stated, “Since knee cartilage contains very few cells, it does not regenerate well once damaged. Autologous stem cell therapy can effectively assist in regenerating cartilage, offering a promising treatment option for arthritis patients.”
The knee joint plays a vital role in mobility, and damage to it can significantly disrupt daily life. Cartilage, in particular, is challenging to heal naturally, often leading patients to consider knee replacement surgery. However, with the advent of autologous stem cell therapy, a less invasive treatment option is now available, improving patients' quality of life. In this interview, Dr. Kim elaborates on this innovative therapy.
How does autologous stem cell therapy help with knee joint treatment?
Knee cartilage can be considered a consumable. Since it has very few intrinsic cells, it struggles to regenerate when damaged. Autologous stem cell therapy aids in regenerating damaged cartilage by using concentrated bone marrow cells, which contain not only stem cells but also various growth factors involved in regeneration.
Patients with knee pain and cartilage damage are candidates for this therapy. However, outcomes are generally less favorable in advanced arthritis. Treatment is recommended for cases classified as Stage 2 or 3 on the four-stage knee arthritis scale, depending on the extent of cartilage damage.
Where are autologous stem cells extracted, and why are bio-kits crucial in this process?
Autologous stem cells are typically extracted from the patient’s pelvis using specially designed needles and syringes. It is crucial to use bio-kits that can effectively concentrate the harvested bone marrow in a sterile environment.
The concentrated bone marrow stem cells used in this therapy are obtained through centrifugation, isolating mononuclear cells from the buffy coat layer. Two rounds of centrifugation are necessary, and contamination during this process can lead to inflammation, compromising the therapy's success. REV-MED’s TriCell Kit is preferred because it performs two centrifugations in one step, minimizing contamination risks.
You are known for adopting this therapy early. How many cases have you treated so far?
I began performing stem cell therapies during my time as a military doctor. While serving in the Air Force, I treated many knee joint disorders using patients’ cartilage cells. In 2001, I pioneered a therapy called “Autologous Cartilage Cell Transplantation,” which was featured in the Defense Daily News.
After my military service, I continued researching knee cartilage regeneration and, in 2009, developed an “Arthroscopic Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Surgery” technique. This method uses only 3–4 small incisions (approximately 1 cm each) for all procedures, eliminating the need for additional cuts, thereby promoting faster recovery and rehabilitation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this therapy compared to other treatments?
The biggest advantage is the low risk of complications. Using a patient’s own cells eliminates concerns about immune reactions or infections, which may arise with donor cells or processed products. Additionally, the therapy naturally promotes regeneration by concentrating a high density of cells and growth factors.
However, individual differences in patients’ tissues and cells make it challenging to generalize results. The therapy's effectiveness also diminishes in elderly patients, as stem cell activity decreases with age, and it becomes harder to harvest sufficient cells.
What are the potential side effects, and how often do they occur?
Since the therapy uses the patient’s own tissues, immune reactions common in traditional stem cell therapies are rare. However, outcomes depend on the degree of cartilage damage and patient age. Advanced arthritis and older age reduce the therapy’s success rate, prompting the need for age restrictions. For example, bone marrow concentrate therapy is typically limited to patients aged 15–50.
Can you share recent research achievements and future plans in stem cell therapy?
We have published multiple foundational and clinical research papers on cartilage regeneration and arthritis treatment. Animal and laboratory studies have demonstrated excellent cartilage regeneration, while clinical trials have shown symptom improvement and sustained benefits in arthritis patients.
Beyond cartilage, we have explored bone regeneration and successfully applied stem cell therapy to patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Recently, I received a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea for a new project titled “Discovery of Dual-Target Therapeutics for Cartilage Regeneration and Anti-Inflammation via Kindlin-2-Mediated Mitochondrial-STAT3 Expression”. This project aims to develop effective treatments for arthritis from a novel perspective, laying the groundwork for new therapies over the next three years with government support.
As an aging society faces rising arthritis cases, developing effective therapies is essential to improving quality of life for future generations.
Source : HealthTrends (http://www.k-health.com)
[Interview] Dr. Suk-Jung Kim, Orthopedic Surgeon, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea
Dr. Suk-Jung Kim stated, “Since knee cartilage contains very few cells, it does not regenerate well once damaged. Autologous stem cell therapy can effectively assist in regenerating cartilage, offering a promising treatment option for arthritis patients.”
The knee joint plays a vital role in mobility, and damage to it can significantly disrupt daily life. Cartilage, in particular, is challenging to heal naturally, often leading patients to consider knee replacement surgery. However, with the advent of autologous stem cell therapy, a less invasive treatment option is now available, improving patients' quality of life. In this interview, Dr. Kim elaborates on this innovative therapy.
How does autologous stem cell therapy help with knee joint treatment?
Knee cartilage can be considered a consumable. Since it has very few intrinsic cells, it struggles to regenerate when damaged. Autologous stem cell therapy aids in regenerating damaged cartilage by using concentrated bone marrow cells, which contain not only stem cells but also various growth factors involved in regeneration.
Patients with knee pain and cartilage damage are candidates for this therapy. However, outcomes are generally less favorable in advanced arthritis. Treatment is recommended for cases classified as Stage 2 or 3 on the four-stage knee arthritis scale, depending on the extent of cartilage damage.
Where are autologous stem cells extracted, and why are bio-kits crucial in this process?
Autologous stem cells are typically extracted from the patient’s pelvis using specially designed needles and syringes. It is crucial to use bio-kits that can effectively concentrate the harvested bone marrow in a sterile environment.
The concentrated bone marrow stem cells used in this therapy are obtained through centrifugation, isolating mononuclear cells from the buffy coat layer. Two rounds of centrifugation are necessary, and contamination during this process can lead to inflammation, compromising the therapy's success. REV-MED’s TriCell Kit is preferred because it performs two centrifugations in one step, minimizing contamination risks.
You are known for adopting this therapy early. How many cases have you treated so far?
I began performing stem cell therapies during my time as a military doctor. While serving in the Air Force, I treated many knee joint disorders using patients’ cartilage cells. In 2001, I pioneered a therapy called “Autologous Cartilage Cell Transplantation,” which was featured in the Defense Daily News.
After my military service, I continued researching knee cartilage regeneration and, in 2009, developed an “Arthroscopic Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Surgery” technique. This method uses only 3–4 small incisions (approximately 1 cm each) for all procedures, eliminating the need for additional cuts, thereby promoting faster recovery and rehabilitation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this therapy compared to other treatments?
The biggest advantage is the low risk of complications. Using a patient’s own cells eliminates concerns about immune reactions or infections, which may arise with donor cells or processed products. Additionally, the therapy naturally promotes regeneration by concentrating a high density of cells and growth factors.
However, individual differences in patients’ tissues and cells make it challenging to generalize results. The therapy's effectiveness also diminishes in elderly patients, as stem cell activity decreases with age, and it becomes harder to harvest sufficient cells.
What are the potential side effects, and how often do they occur?
Since the therapy uses the patient’s own tissues, immune reactions common in traditional stem cell therapies are rare. However, outcomes depend on the degree of cartilage damage and patient age. Advanced arthritis and older age reduce the therapy’s success rate, prompting the need for age restrictions. For example, bone marrow concentrate therapy is typically limited to patients aged 15–50.
Can you share recent research achievements and future plans in stem cell therapy?
We have published multiple foundational and clinical research papers on cartilage regeneration and arthritis treatment. Animal and laboratory studies have demonstrated excellent cartilage regeneration, while clinical trials have shown symptom improvement and sustained benefits in arthritis patients.
Beyond cartilage, we have explored bone regeneration and successfully applied stem cell therapy to patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
Recently, I received a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea for a new project titled “Discovery of Dual-Target Therapeutics for Cartilage Regeneration and Anti-Inflammation via Kindlin-2-Mediated Mitochondrial-STAT3 Expression”. This project aims to develop effective treatments for arthritis from a novel perspective, laying the groundwork for new therapies over the next three years with government support.
As an aging society faces rising arthritis cases, developing effective therapies is essential to improving quality of life for future generations.
Source : HealthTrends (http://www.k-health.com)