Episode 10: FGF Therapy in Voice Regeneration with Dr. Shigeru Hirano - The Next Chapter & Beyond

Episode 10: FGF Therapy in Voice Regeneration with Dr. Shigeru Hirano - The Next Chapter and Beyond

We're excited to share the latest episode of the UEP Voice Box podcast! In our 10th episode, host Dr. Shiying Hey chats with Dr. Shigeru Hirano, Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.

Professor Hirano joins us from Japan to discuss his innovative work with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) for vocal fold regeneration. This treatment was originally developed for skin regeneration, but he pioneered its use in treatments for voice disorders. This regenerative approach represents a breakthrough for patients, offering new hope where traditional treatments have fallen short.

The episode explores the evolution of regenerative medicine in laryngology, as Professor Hirano shares insights into current research plus the exciting possibilities and challenges that lie ahead in this field.

"We didn't have any good treatments for atrophy or scar one or two decades ago," Dr. Hirano notes, "But now everything has changed, and the regenerative approach is now possible."

While acknowledging that regenerative medicine still has limitations, he believes it represents a true breakthrough in 21st-century treatment for patients with severe vocal disorders.

This episode is particularly relevant for clinicians treating increasingly aged populations, where vocal fold atrophy, sulcus, and scarring are becoming more common.

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Update: We've expanded our podcasts on several platforms and are thrilled that our network of listeners around the world is growing. As of this episode, you have tuned in from over 65 countries!

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Visit www.uepvoicebox.com to hear the conversation and learn from more renowned guests on The UEP Voice Box.