Gene Therapy
What is gene therapy?
This treatment involves administering specific proteins to normalize genes that have become mutated for some reason.
The two targeted genes are p53 and PTEN, both of which are representative tumor suppressor genes. Cancer cells often have mutations in these tumor suppressor genes, which is one of the reasons why cancer progression cannot be stopped.
This treatment aims to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and kill them by restoring these tumor suppressor genes to normal. In addition, this treatment does not use viral vectors, which are commonly used, but cationic liposomes, making it a safer treatment.
Application Areas
Treatment of various cancers
Preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis
Additive and synergistic effects when used in combination with other treatments
It is particularly effective in combination with light and ultrasound dynamic therapy, hyperthermia, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and can also be used in combination with high-concentration vitamin C therapy and low-dose naltrexone.
About tumor suppressor genes
p53
It is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes. p53 functions include DNA repair, induction of apoptosis, regulation and control of cell proliferation, and metabolic regulation.
p16
It is involved in the early regulation of the cell cycle process in which one cell divides into two, and when something abnormal occurs in the cell, it stops the cell cycle or induces cellular senescence.
PTEN
It is one of the cancer suppressor genes that regulates cell division, inhibits the enzyme Akt, which mainly mediates cell survival (proliferation), and restores the functions of apoptosis (suicide) and cell proliferation inhibition.
Treatment Overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
Treatment period and frequency
The treatment plan will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will decide after you have undergone an examination and tests.
Cost (private medical treatment)
Please note that treatment will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will inform you of the treatment plan after it has been decided.
Risks and Side Effects
Although very rare, allergic reactions or fever caused by an immune response may occur.
Regarding elective medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
- Indicate that it is an unapproved drug, etc., and indicate the acquisition route, etc.
The unapproved drugs used in this treatment have not yet been approved under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. In Japan, unapproved drugs and medical devices can be used at the doctor's own risk.
Availability of domestically approved drugs, etc.
Currently, there are no other drugs approved in Japan that have the same properties as those used in this treatment.
Information on safety in foreign countries
Risk assessment of germline integration
General Principles to Address the Risk of Inadvertent Germline Integration of Gene Therapy Vectors Oct. 2006