Cong An Nhan Dan Newspaper – Applying Stem Cells in the Treatment of Cirrhosis

Although cirrhosis is not liver cancer, it is the leading factor driving the development of liver cancer. Among patients diagnosed with liver cancer, as many as 80% show symptoms of cirrhosis.

Liver diseases are placing a serious healthcare burden on Vietnam. According to Ministry of Health statistics, about 8 million Vietnamese people currently have chronic hepatitis B and 1 million have hepatitis C. Both diseases can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer if not detected and treated in time.

With rates of hepatitis B and C infection among the highest in the world, together with a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer, Vietnam faces a major challenge in controlling and treating these diseases.

Speaking at the 16 September signing ceremony for cooperation on deploying the strategic technology of applying mesenchymal stem cells in clinical treatment, especially for cirrhosis, between Bach Mai Hospital and the Mescells/MSC Specialized Healthcare System for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung, Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital, said that gene therapy and stem cells form one of six very important development pillars of Bach Mai Hospital for 2025–2030, as approved by the Ministry of Health. The cooperation between the two organizations is an important milestone in advancing this pillar.

Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital Nguyen Tuan Tung speaking at the signing ceremony.

Deputy Director Nguyen Tuan Tung emphasized that, alongside its duty of examining and treating the public as a last-line hospital, Bach Mai Hospital has always regarded the development of science and technology, training and scientific research as the “three-legged stool” that it pursues and develops together. Under the direction of the Ministry of Health, the hospital has set important directions for bringing advanced technology, including cell technology, into medical examination and treatment at an early stage.

“The highest goal of this partnership is to give patients access to cell and cell technology services during the course of their treatment. Under the legal direction of the Department of Science, Technology and Training and the regulations of the Ministry of Health, the company will produce cells that meet the standards, and Bach Mai Hospital will be the place where advanced techniques are applied clinically,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Tung said.

Speaking about mesenchymal stem cell technology in the treatment of chronic diseases, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Chairwoman of the Mescells/MSC Specialized Healthcare System for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy, said that research into and application of cell technology in liver disease, especially cirrhosis, is an area in which cell therapy is opening up new approaches in regenerative medicine.

Research into and application of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of cirrhosis have proved effective in many countries with advanced medicine, helping to stabilize liver function for a period of time. Researching and producing stem cells to international and Vietnamese standards and applying them in Vietnam will give patients access to advanced technology at a much lower cost than going abroad.

Bach Mai Hospital and the Mescells Cell Therapy Healthcare System sign a cooperation agreement on research into the application of mesenchymal stem cells in clinical treatment.

According to incomplete statistics, Vietnamese people spend USD 4 billion each year on medical treatment abroad, including stem cell therapy. Research into and application of stem cells by the country’s leading hospitals in treating patients opens up new opportunities for patients with cirrhosis, as well as for those with other chronic diseases.

According to Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang, Director General of the Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health, cell technology is one of three strategic technologies that the Prime Minister has assigned the health sector to implement, with the aim of creating safe and effective products, methods and techniques for treating Vietnamese patients. The Ministry of Health is directing units to implement this urgently so as to achieve concrete results soon.

“The Ministry of Health has reviewed and appraised the laboratory, the cell bank and the capacity of Mescells. Cooperation between a cell bank that meets the standards, such as Mescells, and a specialized last-line hospital such as Bach Mai will bring great benefit to the public. Once Bach Mai does this well, the model will be replicated and transferred to other hospitals,” Dr. Nguyen Ngo Quang said.

Source: Cong An Nhan Dan Newspaper