Rakupõhiste

Rakupõhiste is an Estonian term that translates to "cell-based" in English. It is used as an adjective to describe products, therapies, experiments, or approaches that rely on living cells as the primary biological active component.

In medicine and biotechnology, cell-based strategies aim to replace, repair, modulate, or study biological functions by using cells or cell-derived materials. Common examples include stem cell therapies using mesenchymal or pluripotent cells; immunotherapies such as dendritic cell vaccines and CAR-T cell treatments; and cell-based models used in drug screening.

Manufacturing and regulation: Cell-based products require specialized production under Good Manufacturing Practice, including donor screening, culture conditions, and stringent quality control. Regulatory pathways vary by jurisdiction, but typically involve demonstration of safety, purity, potency, and traceability.

Advantages and challenges: Potential for long-term efficacy, targeted action, and personalized treatment; challenges include safety concerns like tumorigenicity, immune reactions, contamination, and variability; high costs; cold-chain requirements. Ethical and social considerations include informed consent, donor rights, and equitable access.

Research and future directions: Advances in gene editing, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, bioreactors, and standardized assays continue to shape the development and evaluation of cell-based applications, aiming to improve safety, scalability, and accessibility.

The term rakupõhiste thus highlights a broad category rather than a single technology, encompassing a range of cell-based applications.