The ACTO times: 2026 Spring edition

Dear ACTO members and supporters

We are happy to distribute the second edition of ACTO Times 2026. Thank you for your support for Journal as well as whole ACTO activities.

ACTO annual meetings were held already 16 times in many cities and the 17th Annual Meeting will be held in Jakarta on August 26~28, 2026 organized by Indonesia organizing team under the guidance of Meeting President, Dr. Amin Soebandrio.

We would like to encourage you not only to join but also to submit abstract, then you will have chance to win best abstract award. Again, this year, best abstract will be selected by the abstract review team members and award will be handed at the meeting sponsored by ACTO HQ office.

Another important news is 18th Annual meeting, 2027 meeting will be held in Niigata City, Japan organized by Prof. Shuji Terai, Niigata University, August 21~23,2027.

Today, still there are several issues related to the use of exosome. So far, I learned from clinical study conducted at Duke university and IGR, France, Dendritic cell (DC) derived exosome can transfer the information to all immune related cells if exosome carrying proper information. Even DC derived exosome, if it is not carrying proper information, DC derived exosome case, antigen, is not effective.

Another point we should emphasize is regulatory step for such new material/therapy. Any material administered in human must have safety data and efficacy suggesting data. And protocol must be reviewed by proper ethics committee and submitted local regulatory agency. Our two studies were reviewed by US FDA and approved for clinical study. We proposed the idea how to measure safety and efficacy of exosome derived from DC.

Today we are concerned that there are so many clinical use of exosome without proper regulatory agency involvement. Situation is similar to when we published appeal for cell therapy 2010. (Cell therapy medical tourism: Time for action: Cytotherapy, 2010; 12: 965–968)

I do believe our member will follow proper regulatory process for the new study. ACTO regulatory committee members will be ready to support your new idea.

Best regards,

Akihiro Shimosaka, Ph.D.

Chairperson, Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO)