On October 25, the 2023 International Diabetic Lower Extremity Symposium (IDLES) made its Asian debut in Phuket, Thailand. This symposium, held by the International Society of Regenerative Medicine and Wound Repair (ISRMWR) in collaboration with the Rongxiang Xu, MD, Center for Regenerative Therapeutics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) of Harvard Medical School, is significantly important in addressing unmet needs of managing diabetic lower extremity. Initially established to promote academic exchanges and innovations in the field of burns, trauma, and diabetic lower extremity management, this symposium gravitates towards exploring the future of regenerative medical technology under the collaboration of experts across the globe. This event was attended by over 200 medical professionals from 17 countries including the US, the UK, Bulgaria, Greece, New Zealand, India, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, etc.

Dr. Aristidis Veves, Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Director of Rongxiang Xu, MD, Center for Regenerative Therapeutics at BIDMC, made the kick-off speech in which he hoped the symposium would catalyze new ideas among participants.

Kevin Xu, President of ISRMWR and Co-Chair of APEC 2023 Host Committee, emphasized that this symposium is not only a platform for academic exchange and knowledge sharing, but also provides a unique opportunity to commemorate Professor Rongxiang Xu. He also expressed that the achievement in the field of regenerative medicine can be translated into greater impact in major international forums like APEC.

Throughout the 3-day symposium, medical professionals from all around the world delivered talks on a diverse range of topics in the scope of diabetic lower extremity.

What makes the 2023 IDLES distinctive is the APEC session, where Dr. Tina Palmieri, Treasurer of the International Society for Burn Injuries, and Past President of the American Burn Association, brought attention to social and health problems caused by burns. As for the solution, she encourages people to be open-minded and expect what regenerative medical technology could offer in the future, given that there is already robust clinical evidence.

The 2023 IDLES was impactful in so many ways that it not only enlightened us with new ways of treating diabetic lower extremity, but also provided new ideas that could push the boundaries in the field of regenerative medical technology. The genie is out of the bottle, and the prospect for medical research and cooperation among APEC countries has never been so promising.