Therapeutics for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Improved surgical outcomes based on better perioperative treatments
- Relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and cancer and effective diagnostic methods
- Effects of intestinal immune cells and the intestinal flora on disease etiology
- Regenerative medince using adipose devived stem cells
Using internal medicine, surgery and basic research for new inflammatory bowel disease treatments
Effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) requires in depth study of gastroenterology, gastrointestinal surgery and immunology. IBD is a generic term for chronic diseases that cause inflammation of unknown origin in the gastrointestinal tract.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are indicative conditions of IBD. In Japan, IBD is relatively infrequent compared to Europe and the United States. However, its frequency in Japan is increasing to levels that approach those of Western countries. Our laboratory is therefore exploring new therapies.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease frequently occur in young people and require treatment for a long period of time, lowering Quality of Life (QOL) by disrupting work, marriage, family and other milestones. Treatments have been generally ineffective and in many cases surgery is the only option. Moreover, patients need further treatment post-surgery.
Beginning in the 2000s, an abnormality in the intestinal tract immunity of a patient provided a new mechanism for the disease, giving promise to new medical and surgical treatments and much improved prospects on QOL. We are studying the mechanisms of IBD and investigating new treatment strategies including regenerative medicine. We aim to be a world leader in the field.
Figure Minimally invasive surgery for IBD.
