Cancer photoimmunotherapy
What is photoimmunotherapy?
Photoimmunotherapy is also called the "fifth treatment" following surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, and is attracting attention as a new cancer treatment. Photoimmunotherapy is a treatment in which a drug that attaches only to cancer cells is administered, followed by irradiation with light (laser light, nearsighted ultraviolet light, ultrasound), causing the drug to react to the light and destroy the cancer cells. In addition to being able to pinpoint attack only cancer cells, it also has the effect of enhancing immunity against cancer.
1. Photosensitive drugs administered intravenously
About 1 day later
2. In about one day, the drug attaches to the cancer cells and the cancer is destroyed by irradiating them with light.
3. Cancer cells release cancer-specific substances (antigens), activating the immune system against those same cancer cells.
Characteristics of photoimmunotherapy
1. Minimally invasive treatment (treatment that places less strain on the body)
There is no need to make an incision in the body, and there is no need to use burdensome anesthesia such as general anesthesia during treatment.
2. Almost no damage to normal cells
Because the drugs act specifically on cancer cells, treatment can be carried out while protecting healthy cells.
3. It has the added effect of boosting the immune system
By activating the immune system, it is expected that cancer cells in not only the treated area but also those in other parts of the body will shrink or disappear.
4. It can be performed as an outpatient treatment
There is no need for hospitalization and no sacrifice of daily life.
Please avoid severe sun exposure for about one week after treatment.
Target cancer types
With the exception of some types of cancer, we can treat almost all types of cancer, from stage I to stage IV. (We do not treat blood cancer.)
Photoimmunotherapy may also be effective in preventing cancer recurrence and metastasis.
Please contact us for more details.
Approaches tailored to the state of cancer are possible
At our clinic, we can select the wavelength of laser, near-infrared radiation, or ultrasound, or use them together, depending on the patient's condition and type of cancer. We also use different devices depending on the patient's condition, such as intradermal irradiation, intravascular irradiation, and external point or surface irradiation. By using near-infrared radiation and ultrasound, we can also treat cancers deep inside the body that are difficult for light to reach.
MLDS (Multi Laser Delivery System)
This is a laser device capable of low-power irradiation of less than 100 milliwatts. It can use six colors of light (ultraviolet, blue, green, yellow, red, near-infrared) and can be used to irradiate into the interstitium (inside the skin), blood vessels, and joints.
By irradiating the blood directly with laser light, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present in blood vessels can also be destroyed.
Super Riser EX
The Super Laser is the first phototherapy device in Japan that can irradiate near-infrared light, the wavelength band with the deepest biological penetration of light, in a high-power spot pattern. It uses a high-precision LED as the light source, which allows the amount of light received in the body to be about five times that of conventional devices. In addition, by cutting off wavelengths of 1000 nm or more, it is possible to irradiate only wavelengths with excellent biological penetration.
Sonic Tizer
Ultrasound can reach deeper than light, so it can approach deep-seated cancers (lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc.).
Photosensitizers used
At our clinic, we use indocyanine green or the more effective talaporfin as photosensitizing substances.
When a photosensitizer is exposed to a specific type of light, it absorbs the light and produces a type of reactive oxygen called singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen destroys cancer cells, but normal cells are not destroyed by the action of an antioxidant enzyme called oxidase.
Treatment Overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
Photoimmunotherapy Process
Informed consent
Treatment explanation and schedule determination
Payment of fees
Administration of a photosensitizer
Laser light irradiation
Evaluation of treatment efficacy
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
Photoimmunotherapy treatment is a minimally invasive procedure.
However, in rare cases, the following side effects may occur:
Symptoms such as burns may occur.
During the infusion of ICG or Talaporfin, there is a rare possibility of complications such as subcutaneous hematoma and nerve damage. After treatment, chills and shivers may occur.
Photosensitivity, iodine sensitivity
Private medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
- Indicate that it is an approved drug, etc., and indicate the acquisition route, etc.
The photosensitive substances, lasers and ultrasound devices used in this treatment have not been approved under the Medical Device Act (including some unapproved treatments of approved drugs). Some of the drugs are unapproved drugs, but they are dispensed legally at the doctor's responsibility. In Japan, unapproved drugs can be used at the doctor's own responsibility.
Availability of domestically approved drugs, etc.
Currently, there are no other medical devices approved in Japan that have the same performance as the one used for this treatment.
Information on safety in foreign countries
The laser device (MLDS) used in this treatment has obtained medical device licenses in Europe (CE marking), Canada (Health Canada FDA), and the United States (US-FDA; external laser treatment and intravenous use are off-label).