The Ritchie Centre’s 2016 Colloquium and Public Forum: cell therapy and translational research

Professor Bill Sievert

Innovations in stem cell and regenerative medicine research and women’s and children’s health was the focus of this year's Ritchie Centre Colloquium and Public Forum last week at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP).

Stem cells and regenerative medicine have been identified by the National Institutes of Health in the USA as the next pillar in modern medicine, and according to a recent Academy of Science ‘Think Tank’, stem cell science is poised to revolutionise the field of medicine. The Asia-Pacific stem cell market alone is projected to increase to $US18.7 billion by 2018, from $US7.10 billion in 2014.

“The Ritchie Centre (Monash University and Hudson Institute of Medical Research) is a leading centre for stem cell and regenerative medicine research and clinical translation in Australia,” said Colloquium organiser Professor Graham Jenkin from Monash University’s  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Deputy Director of The Ritchie Centre.

The Ritchie Centre hosts the annual Colloquium and Public Forum to inform and educate the general public and scientific community on women’s and children’s health issues.

“This year’s forum explored stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this rapidly growing area,” said Professor Stuart Hooper, Director of The Ritchie Centre.

Keynote invited speakers at the event included Professor John Rasko, Associate Professor Jerry Chan, Professor David Gardner, and Professor William Sievert.

An Australian pioneer in the application of adult stem cells and genetic therapy, Professor Rasko delivered the plenary lecture on progress in gene therapy for genetic diseases, including evidence of improved outcomes in haemophilia B, immune deficiencies, haemoglobinopathies, immunotherapies and blindness. He also participated in this year’s Public Forum.

Clinician scientist Associate Professor Chan from Duke-NUS Medical School presented his research on deriving novel biomarkers for endometriosis.

“Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent disease affecting 6-10% of women (up to half of infertile women), and is associated with both pain and infertility,” said Associate Professor Chan.

“Current biomarkers for this disease have limited clinical utility and novel biomarkers reflecting disease pathophysiology are needed.”

Associate Professor Chan said that a biobank repository of serum, peritoneal fluid, eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues has been set up at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to facilitate their biomarker discovery program.

This year’s Public Forum was chaired by Dr Susan Hawes, a researcher and policy advisor on science and innovation policy for the Australian Government, and who also manages programs to support the Australian medical technologies and bio-pharmaceutical sector.

The topic, ‘Stem Cell Therapies: Where are we now, and where are we heading’ gave members of the public an opportunity to hear about and discuss cutting edge developments in stem cell therapies. 

With a panel of experts including Professor Euan Wallace, Professor John Rasko, and Professor Iona Novak, Head of Research for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the forum explored topics including current and potential stem cell treatments and trials as well as the regulatory environment in which clinicians currently operate in this growing, but sometimes controversial area.

Leading Ritchie Centre researchers also presented their ground-breaking research during the Colloquium on topics including clinical applications of stem cells and biomatrices, fertility and infertility and the use of stem cells in women’s and paediatric health.

“Our scientists are pioneering a number of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, including using mesenchymal stem cells in paediatrics, neurosurgery, multiple sclerosis and liver fibrosis,” said Professor Jenkin, who is also Research Group Head, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine at the Ritchie Centre.