Chongqing - On December 12, a groundbreaking clinical research project was officially launched to reconstruct immune function in patients with congenital athymia.
The project, a collaboration between the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, marks a significant step forward in China's efforts to develop immune system reconstruction therapies, advancing the field from "zero to one."
Immunity is a cornerstone of human health, and the thymus is a central lymphoid organ that plays a crucial role in the immune system, primarily through the production of T lymphocytes. As people age, the thymus naturally undergoes gradual shrinkage and degeneration.
However, some individuals are born without a thymus or with an underdeveloped one, a condition seen in rare genetic disorders like DiGeorge Syndrome. Patients with congenital athymia, including those with DiGeorge Syndrome, experience developmental defects across multiple systems, often exhibiting distinctive facial features, recurrent infections, cleft palates, and heart abnormalities.
A groundbreaking clinical research project aimed at reconstructing immune function in patients with congenital athymia was officially launched on December 12. (Photo/Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University)
"DiGeorge Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder in children, is caused by a partial deletion of chromosome 22, leading to congenital athymia or underdevelopment of the thymus," said Professor Zhao Xiaodong, Party Secretary of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. "Unfortunately, there is currently no effective clinical treatment, which underscores the importance of this research initiative."
The project is led by Wu Yuzhang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with Professor Zhao Xiaodong and Professor An Yunfei from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.
The research project aims to develop a viable therapeutic solution by exploring innovative methods for reconstructing the immune system in children born without a thymus. By focusing on using thymic "chips," a pioneering technology designed to restore central immunity, the initiative seeks to address the gap in treatment options for congenital athymia and related disorders.
The team of experts involved in the project believes that the successful implementation of thymic chip technology could provide a new path to immune system reconstruction for affected children, potentially improving their quality of life and life expectancy. This could also pave the way for future advances in immunology and regenerative medicine, with the potential for broader applications in other immune-related conditions.
The launch of this research project is a testament to China’s growing commitment to medical innovation and its effort to lead in cutting-edge healthcare fields. The work being done at Chongqing Medical University and the Chongqing International Institute for Immunology represents a crucial milestone in addressing complex, rare diseases that have long been without effective solutions.
As the project progresses, researchers hope to build upon these early findings and continue developing therapies that could one day offer a lasting solution for children affected by congenital athymia. This would mark a significant achievement in the realm of immunological health.