Samsung Seoul Hospital Hosts Korea-Japan Symposium on 'Immunodeficiency'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Leading experts on primary immunodeficiency diseases (immunodeficiencies) from Korea and Japan will gather in one place to share clinical experiences and the latest insights.

The Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Samsung Medical Center announced on the 20th that it will hold the "Korea-Japan International Symposium" on gene therapy for immunodeficiency on the 25th. Sponsored by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Project Group, this symposium will be attended by authorities in immunodeficiency and gene therapy research from Samsung Medical Center, Chungnam National University, Dankook University, Japan’s National Center for Child Health and Development, and Kitasato University.

Immunodeficiency is a general term for rare diseases caused by defects in specific genes that result in problems with the immune system. Symptoms such as cancer, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and autoinflammatory conditions may also accompany it. Due to advances in gene analysis technology and basic immunology, the number of newly identified diseases is increasing, with 485 diseases known as of last year.

Exterior view of Samsung Seoul Hospital. [Photo by Samsung Seoul Hospital]

One representative example of immunodeficiency is Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). SCID patients are born with a deficiency of T lymphocytes, making them extremely vulnerable to infections. The "Bubble Boy" David Vetter, who survived 12 years inside a sterilized air bubble after being born in 1971, suffered from this disease. SCID is treated in infancy with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, including immune cells from others, but due to difficulties in receiving donor bone marrow transplants, research on gene therapy is also active.

This symposium will also cover the latest insights into gene therapy for immunodeficiency. Professor Kim Ye-jin of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Samsung Medical Center, a leading authority in the field of immunodeficiency in Korea and an executive member of the Asia-Pacific Immunodeficiency Society, will introduce the development process of gene therapy for immunodeficiency. Since 2021, Professor Kim has formed a gene therapy research group for immunodeficiency with domestic basic scientists to explore new treatments. Professor Kim emphasized, "Because immunodeficiency is a rare and complex disease of the immune system, public awareness is low, and there is a lack of experts focusing on policies, treatment, and research for these patients in health authorities and the medical community. We will do our best in research and clinical care so that even one more patient can enjoy a better daily life."

Alongside leading Japanese researchers who have pioneered gene therapy for immunodeficiency, the symposium will also cover the experiences and strategies of Samsung Medical Center, which has recently shown prominence in gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Leber congenital amaurosis, and other conditions in Korea. Professor Ahn Kang-mo, head of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Samsung Medical Center, said, "Immunodeficiency has long been a fatal undiagnosed rare disease, but diagnosis and treatment are gradually becoming possible. Multidisciplinary approaches and cooperation across clinical medicine, diagnostic medicine, and basic medicine are essential, and this symposium will serve as an opportunity for such collaboration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.