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Joaquim Vives, PhD
Contributing Editor, ISCT Telegraft
Spain

For many in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) sector, Massimo Dominici, PhD, is synonymous with the foundational standards of the field. As a past president of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) and a professor of oncology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Prof. Dominici has spent over two decades bridging the gap between rigorous academic research and the practical realities of clinical translation. In this Leadership Spotlight, we trace his journey from a young researcher intrigued by CD34 standardization to a global leader who reshaped the administrative and scientific identity of ISCT. 

From St. Jude to the Global Stage

Prof. Massimo Dominici’s involvement with ISCT, then known as ISAGE, began in the late 1990s. At the time, he was a researcher at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, working alongside field pioneers like Malcolm Brenner and Ed Horwitz. It was here that he witnessed the society's early efforts to standardize CD34+ cell qualification, a process that sparked his interest in the necessity of professional standards. 

"I was intrigued by the activities surrounding standardization," Dominici recalls. This early exposure to the "how-to" of cell therapy became a defining theme of his career. After serving two terms as ISCT Treasurer, a period he describes as a "tricky balance" between innovation and financial sustainability, he was elected as the society’s first non-North American president in 2014. 

A Presidency of Independence and Recognition (2014-2016)

Dominici’s presidency was marked by a strategic shift toward institutional maturity. One of his most significant administrative legacies was leading ISCT toward management independence. Previously managed by an external company, the society transitioned under his leadership to an independent administrative structure with its own dedicated team.

"The future of the society needed independence from a management point of view to grow," Dominici explains. This move allowed ISCT to scale its global operations and reinvest in its members. During his tenure, he also formalized the ISCT Awards process, presenting the first Career Achievement Award to Darwin Prockop at the 2016 Singapore meeting, a moment he remembers as a highlight of his term. 

Beyond administration, Dominici was an advocate for patient safety. He helped finalize the Presidential Task Force on Unproven Cell Therapies, which launched a concerted effort to combat the rise of unregulated clinics. This work underscored his belief that scientific rigor is the only path to legitimate clinical success. 

The Architect of MSC Standards

Scientifically, Prof. Dominici is best known for his role in defining the criteria for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs). His 2006 position paper, "Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells," published in Cytotherapy, remains one of the most cited documents in the field (1). This work provided the regulatory and scientific terminology needed to characterize these cells consistently across laboratories and borders.

His philosophy is simple: "If you can’t define it, you can’t regulate it." This commitment to definitions led to increased collaboration during his presidency with regulatory bodies and other global organizations like AABB, JACIE, and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). He successfully navigated the "dichotomy between academia and industry," ensuring ISCT remained an academic-led society that could speak the language of corporate developers without losing its scientific DNA. 

Looking Forward: Cell Therapy as "Good Wine"

When asked about the future of the field, Prof. Dominici adopts a perspective of "scientific moderation." He likens the development of cell therapies to the maturation of a fine wine. "It takes time to make a product viable. We need to continue understanding more. We are doing this for patients, so we must do it properly," he notes. 

Today, Prof. Dominici remains an active mentor, encouraging the next generation of "ISCT on the road" leaders to dedicate the necessary time to international collaboration. Whether recalling a 2001 meeting in Barcelona where only 300 "friends" gathered, or looking ahead to the era of precision cell therapy, his focus remains the same: global access to validated, high-quality treatments. 

As we reflect on his contributions, ISCT is grateful for Massimo’s vision, which transformed a small group of enthusiasts into a professional, independent and globally influential scientific society.

references

1. Dominici M, Le Blanc K, Mueller I, Slaper-Cortenbach I, Marini F, Krause D, et al. Minimal criteria for defining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. The International Society for Cellular Therapy position statement. Cytotherapy. 2006;8(4):315-7. PubMed PMID: 16923606. Epub 2006/08/23. eng.