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The Future of Organ Transplants with Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Technology

  • Writer: Sophia Yang
    Sophia Yang
  • Apr 8
  • 7 min read

Updated: Apr 10

Imagine a future where organ transplants are considered a technology of the past, just like how we refer to bloodletting practiced during medieval times. Soon,  via regenerative medicine, dying organs in humans will be treated by growing new personalized ones instead of replacing them with donated ones.



In a society where diseases of all kinds are possible, regenerative medicine technology is altering people’s perspectives on the capabilities of medical innovation. Conventionally, organ transplantation is done by surgeons to replace diseased or malfunctioning organs (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). However, organ transplantation requires an entire complete organ to be transferred from one living or preserved deceased human being to another. This poses a significant limitation on supplies since it mainly relies upon donations of high-quality organs. Yet, even after acquiring healthy and adaptable organs to be transplanted, there are still post-transplant complications that may occur. The most common ones include the rejection of transplanted organs and the introduction of infections during the complex procedure (Hertl, 2022). Considering the complicated and high-risk procedures required for organ transplantation along with its scarcity, scientists have been investigating and accessing a new scope of therapy method—using Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to regenerate tissues and organs in diagnosed patients. 

The extraordinary capabilities of iPSCs in regenerative medicine are reinforced by breakthrough scientific advances that enable stem cell pluripotency—the ability to differentiate human somatic cells into any cell type—through the process of reprogramming. The extraction of human somatic cells, which includes all cells in the human body except sperm and egg cells, is the first step of the iPSCs technology (Ye et al., 2013). Then, for somatic cells to reach the state of being pluripotent, scientists reprogram these somatic cells by injecting patient genes and necessary factors (Aguirre et al., 2023). This group of factors discovered by the 2012 Japanese Nobel Prize winner—Professor Shinya Yamanaka, named the Yamanaka factors, are utilized to  change the cell’s gene transcriptomic profiles (Ochi, 2013). During the alteration process, the original characteristics of the cells are slowly replaced by the traits of pluripotency (Chehelgerdi et al., 2023). Scientists then perform thorough confirmation methodologies to verify the results, ensuring an effective bond and preventing any possible complications. After successfully reprogramming these cells, they transform into iPSCs and can now perform pluripotent functions. The pluripotency of iPSCs grants scientists the ability to utilize them in numerous applications since they can develop into any specific cell under controlled environments, and endlessly self-renew (Saunders et al., 2013). This indicates that human cell units such as blood, skin, muscle, and other somatic or even gamete cells can be formed from these iPSCs, which can be implemented into various fields of medical treatments. 

The most significant medical operation that can be replaced by iPSCs technology regarding its regenerative advantages is organ transplantation. In the U.S., there was an immense amount of 66,605 candidates waitlisted for organ transplantation in 2023, and only 44,838 patients received transplants, with an average of 17 patients dying daily waiting for a healthy organ to be replaced (U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, 2024). Moreover, most organs were donated from deceased donors who often donate multiple organs, with only approximately 15% of organs sourced from living donors. Furthermore, there were 23,322 organ donors during 2023, with only approximately 30% of them living donors. These statistics from the U.S. HRSA reveal the substantial imbalance between patients and donors, and also how dependent the organ donation infrastructure was on deceased donors who contribute to society. The technology of iPSCs can not only replace the need for organ transplantations but is also accompanied by several other key benefits that result in higher-quality therapy treatments, and hence, a better quality of life. iPSCs technology offers highly customizable and also personalized therapies for each patient. Unlike organ transplantation, iPSCs are derived from the treatment receiving patients’ own body, therefore the risk of immune system-based rejection of new organs or tissues and the need for donor waitlisting is avoided (Chehelgerdi et al., 2023). Additionally, data collected by the Global Survey of Corneal Transplantation and Eye Banking from 2012 to 2013 revealed that about 12.7 million people worldwide are on the waitlist for cornea tissue transplantation, which they are waiting to receive cornea grafting materials from deceased donors (Gain et al., 2016; Cleveland Clinic, 2023). This indicates the significant need for alternative treatments to improve people’s eyesight, one of the most vital organs used in daily life, enhancing their abilities in social interactions and self-esteem. One kind of corena dysfunction, corneal endothelial dysfunction, that causes cornea blindness has been proven to be curable by using iPSCs technology (Ng et al., 2023). It is guaranteed that the pluripotent characteristics of iPSCs can be utilized in various circumstances, such as in the case of differentiating iPSCs into corneal endothelial cells that can self-develop and take over the need for cornea transplants. 

While iPSCs technology is revolutionizing medical solutions continuously, several complications in its practical applications on patients still bind alongside. One major setback of the iPSC technology is its cost of production due to the new advanced methodologies and materials needed (Chehelgerdi et al., 2023). An unaffordable cost may cause the technology to lose its potential to replace organ transplantation for those in serious need, limiting its purpose of curing lives. Since this new approach to regenerative medicine is not currently included in insurance widely, iPSCs technology servicing companies and clinics may suffer from financial uncertainty. While some may believe the high cost is worth it for potential success or due to limited choices of treatment options, others may question whether to pay the high fees when a promise of success can not be guaranteed (University of Washington Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, 2024). Progression of befitting production methods is needed to solve this economic issue of technology accessibility to broader patients. In addition, several side effects range from illness to even cancer (Surat, 2022). For example, one of the Yamanaka factors used during the program process to reach pluripotency, c-Myc, is an oncogene that has the potential to develop into cancer. This links back to the above-mentioned uncertainty and skepticism about the new technology. Lastly, legal representation and issues for the research of iPSCs technologies are significant as well. For those who are willing to contribute their cells for research use, there is still distress and doubt about patient privacy aspects. Privacy and terms of service frameworks are needed to ensure fair and cautious experimental trials in iPSCs technology development (Zhang & Huang, 2023). For this technology to further develop as a new branch of biomedical research and therapy, aspects of the drawbacks mentioned above need to be considered for improvement upon current conditions. 

Regenerative medicine marks a new journey for researchers and scientists to discover new ways of medical technologies, improve on current innovations, and overall benefit healthcare for all. The introduction of iPSCs technology presents an alternative to the traditional procedure of organ transplantation, which is to cure patient diseases and impairments, avoiding its downsides and marching into a new revolution in healthcare pioneering. This technology has significant potential for positive and life-changing influences on the future of humanity’s health, but some limitations are still present. Yet, propelled by the rapid pace of technological progress, iPSCs technology will keep evolving, becoming more reliable and personalized, and gaining the trust of patients as it continues to transform healthcare.


 

Written by Kyle Yang


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