Stem Cell Specialist Prof. Dr. Erdal Karaöz has announced the establishment of a groundbreaking laboratory in Türkiye that will produce special cells capable of targeting and destroying cancer cells. Prof. Dr. Karaöz, a faculty member at Istinye University Faculty of Medicine and Director of the Regenerative Medicine Stem Cell Production Center at Liv Hospital, shared the latest developments in stem cell-based cellular therapies and gene therapies with physicians from the Central Black Sea region during an information session held in Samsun.
Damaged Cells Can’t Be Treated—Stem Cells Offer New Hope
Highlighting the growing significance of stem cells in recent years, Prof. Dr. Karaöz emphasized that conventional medicine still cannot completely cure certain diseases. He noted that many of these are neurodegenerative diseases, where the loss of specific cell functions due to cell death results in clinical symptoms. “For example, in Parkinson’s disease, the death of dopamine-producing cells leads to the manifestation of symptoms. Similarly, in Type 1 diabetes, insulin-producing cells in the pancreas die. Unfortunately, no surgery or medication can currently replace these lost cells,” he said.
Türkiye Makes Strides in Cellular Therapies
Prof. Dr. Karaöz stated that extensive research and advancements have been made globally and in Türkiye over the past 30 years, particularly in the last decade under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, allowing approved cellular therapies to be offered to patients.
He also pointed out critical considerations in the field: “One major issue is that cells must be produced under proper, internationally accepted GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards. These cells cannot be applied to patients without prior approval from the Ministry of Health. Moreover, this field is increasingly susceptible to exploitation, with false promises being made to patients. It is essential that these therapies be offered only to those who have the potential to benefit.”
Do Stem Cells Cause Cancer?
Responding to a frequently asked question—“Do stem cells cause cancer?”—Prof. Dr. Karaöz reassured, “No, they do not. Our clinical experience and global studies confirm this. We use what we call adult stem cells, particularly from the umbilical cord tissue of newborns. Scientific evidence has shown that these cells do not pose serious side effects or risks such as cancer.”
The Future of Treatment: Cellular Immunotherapy and CAR T-Cell Technology
Prof. Dr. Karaöz introduced another major topic gaining momentum: cellular immunotherapy. Despite current treatment options like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and smart drugs, some cancer cases remain untreatable. He highlighted a new technology called CAR T-cell—originally developed in the U.S.—which is proving especially promising in treating certain blood cancers and is gradually spreading worldwide.
Türkiye’s First CAR T-Cell Laboratory in the Works
Announcing a new milestone, Prof. Dr. Karaöz revealed plans to establish a state-of-the-art laboratory in Türkiye capable of producing these powerful cells. “We are building a facility in our hospital to produce CAR T-cells—cells that, once injected into a patient, can detect and kill cancer cells. We hope this lab will be operational within 6 to 12 months and will begin offering these therapies to Turkish patients,” he said.
New Era at Liv Hospital Vadi İstanbul
Describing the planned laboratory, Karaöz said: “Located at Liv Hospital Vadi Istanbul, this will be a large and complex facility. These cells will be trained to recognize your cancer cells, infused back into you, and then seek and destroy those cells—this is known as targeted therapy. It’s a cutting-edge technology born in the U.S. and now spreading across Europe. We aim to be one of the first centers in Türkiye to implement this, with the potential to treat solid organ tumors and autoimmune diseases in the future.”
