Category: Uncategorized
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From Lab to Therapy: Unraveling Therapeutic Potentials of Functional Engineered Extracellular Vesicles
Joseph Wangisani Chisaka Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan Introduction Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as powerful tools for targeted therapy of a wide range of pathologies through functional transfer of biomolecular cargoes, such as nucleic acids, lipids and proteins, to recipient cells and regulate their downstream signaling pathways…
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Harnessing the Tumor Microenvironment: Therapeutic Approaches to Modulate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
D Renovaldi, YH Huang.International PhD Program in Medicine, Taipei Medical University AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play critical roles in tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. Their interaction with tumor cells and other stromal components reshapes the TME, supporting tumor growth and contributing to treatment failure. This…
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Preface 2025 ACTO Annual Congress in Singapore
It is with immense pleasure that I welcome all invited speakers, delegates and honoured guests to the 2025 Asian Cellular Therapy Organisation (ACTO) congress held in Singapore. This congress is happening at a pivotal moment in the fast-evolving field of cell and gene therapy. There are bewilderingly rapid developments in diverse areas from approved gene therapy…
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APSEV spotlight: illuminating the next frontier in regenerative nanomedicine
Jui-Chien Hsing Taipei Medical University, Taipei The 2025 APSEV International Conference, held in Singapore, spotlighted major breakthroughs at the frontier of regenerative nanomedicine. As a leading event in Asia devoted to extracellular vesicle (EV) research, APSEV provided key insights into how these vesicles—particularly engineered cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs)—are transitioning from being seen as passive cellular debris…
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From circadian rhythm to primary ovarian insufficiency: a stem cell-based therapeutic perspective
Tony Yu-Xiu Lin, Thai-Yen LingDepartment and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan From the earliest stages of life on Earth, organisms have adapted to the predictable cycles of day and night. This evolutionary adaptation has given rise to the circadian rhythm, an intrinsic 24‑hour biological cycle regulating physiological activities…
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The double-edged niche: regulatory mechanisms in skin stem cells and cancer
Pham, T. T. Q. and Rita YH HuangTaipei Medical University, Taipei Human skin represents one of nature’s most sophisticated examples of tissue homeostasis, functioning as an intricate biological system that seamlessly balances protection, regeneration, and adaptive responses to environmental stressors. Normal skin homeostasis operates through a carefully orchestrated cellular hierarchy, where skin stem cells (SSCs)…
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The symphony of time: how circadian rhythms shape life and medicine
Chen-Kung ChouDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University From the first flicker of life on Earth, the cycle of day and night has been an inescapable backdrop—steady, rhythmic, and profoundly influential. As life evolved, it began not only to respond to this 24-hour cycle but to anticipate…
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Current landscape of cell and gene therapy in Singapore
Eddie Tan1 and Mickey BC Koh2 Singapore has emerged as a key player in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector in Asia, with significant developments in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and clinical advancements. The country has strategically positioned itself to become a regional hub for CGT research, development, and clinical applications through substantial investments, purpose-built facilities,…
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Greetings from the editor
THE ACTO TIMES: 2025 SUMMER EDITION Dear ACTO Members and Readers of The ACTO Times, I am excited to present the 2025 Summer Edition of The ACTO Times, which highlights the upcoming 2025 Singapore ACTO Annual Meeting and recent advances in Asian cell and gene therapy (CGT). As of 2025, over 100 CGT products have…
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Greetings from the ACTO chairperson
The ACTO times: 2025 summer edition Akihiro Shimosaka Dear ACTO members, We are glad to share the Summer edition of The ACTO Times 2025, the second annual electronic magazine for ACTO’s global connection in cell and gene therapy (CGT). The Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO) was founded in 2010 to support Asia’s scientific community. Established by experts from all over Asia, ACTO serves for…