JRFU Continues Support of Regenerative Medicine and Research Collaboration Project for Spinal Cord Injury
The Japan Rugby Football Union is proud to announce its continued support of a special project and research collaboration program funding vital research into spinal cord injury in collaboration with the Keio University School of Medicine and the Sapporo Medical University. Started in March 2022, the Adaptation of Regenerative Medicine in Spinal Cord Injury in Rugby and Research Collaboration project is funded through the Rugby World Cup 2019 Legacy Fund as a key and ongoing legacy initiative from the tournament.
This year will see an additional ¥7.5 million donated to both research institutions to fund their innovative research into spinal cord injury and regenerative medicine. The program at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, under the leadership of Professor Masaya Nakamura, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is investigating the application of iPS cell-based spinal cord regenerative medicine for treating spinal cord injury. While at Sapporo Medical University, Professor Toshihiko Yamashita of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is leading research and education into the optimization of regenerative therapy using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for spinal cord injury.
The project team is chaired by Dr. Ichiro Kono and comprises Dr. Akihiko Nakamura, Prof. Takumi Yamamoto, Dr. Takao Akama, Dr. Takuya Tajima, Dr. Masataka Sakane and Dr. Yuji Takazawa. Project funding is managed in accordance with the Rugby World Cup 2019 Legacy Special Committee Fund Management Regulations.
Commenting on the program, Masato Tsuchida, President of Japan Rugby Football Union said:
“While incidence is rare, spinal cord injury in rugby is an important issue for our sport globally. The JRFU is making various efforts to mitigate the risk under our programme of ‘Spreading and Ensuring Safe Rugby’. Following on from last year, we hope to make a further contribution to the development and application of regenerative medicine for spinal cord injuries through this important programme. The project is not limited to rugby or Japan, it’s something we wish to promote for international collaboration and share with other sports and national unions in the future.”
Genichi Tamatsuka, Chairman of Japan Rugby League One said:
“Japan Rugby League One supports the JRFU’s initiatives on the ‘elimination of serious injury and accidents’ and the ‘promotion of safe rugby’ and will continue to work closely with the JRFU to ensure a secure environment where rugby players can play safely. This project is important not only for players in League One and our national teams, but also for improving player welfare across all levels of Japanese rugby. As League One, we will work to raise awareness of rugby safety and set an example for teams and players across the country.”
Professor Masaya Nakamura, Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Keio University School of Medicine, said:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the JRFU for their continued support of our research. Spinal cord injury is one of the most serious injuries in sport, with paralysis significantly impairing the daily lives of its sufferers. We have been conducting research for many years towards the realisation of spinal cord regenerative medicine using iPS cells for spinal cord injury, for which there has been no effective treatment until now. Through this project, our team will work to bring spinal cord regenerative medicine using iPS cells to as many patients as possible.”
Toshihiko Yamashita, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Sapporo Medical University, said:
“We began treating spinal cord injury patients with intravenous administration of an autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell product in 2019 based on the conditional and time-limited approval of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. More than 100 spinal cord injury patients have been treated and shown relatively good functional recovery. We are very pleased to be able to contribute to the relief of patients with spinal cord injuries through the JRFU’s support and we are committed to continually developing more effective treatment methods in the future.”