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.
Cancer treatment with fewer side effects
Compatible with almost all types of cancer
Treatment possible while continuing your normal life
Terminal cancer, recurrent cancer, and metastatic cancer are also eligible for treatment
Can be used in conjunction with standard treatment
Also supports endovascular treatment (CTC treatment)
Target cancer types
1
1. Photosensitive drugs administered intravenously
2
1. Photosensitive drugs administered intravenously
3
1. Photosensitive drugs administered intravenously
4
1. Photosensitive drugs administered intravenously
がん光免疫療法は体内のさまざまな場所にできたがん細胞にレーザー光を照射し直接的に腫瘍を破壊する攻撃と、その後全身に散らばったがん細胞を免疫細胞によって間接的に攻撃する、2つの作用をもつ治療法です。
Target cancer types
局所のがん細胞を破壊
Target cancer types
全身のがん細胞も破壊
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.
Approaches tailored to the state of cancer are possible
光免疫療法は、ほぼ全てのがん種（固形がん）に対応しております。
ステージⅠ～Ⅳ、再発がん、転移がん、がん予防についても治療のご提案をいたします。
※血液がんには対応しておりません。
Brain tumors
Head and neck cancer
Salivary gland cancer
Thyroid cancer
Lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer
Breast cancer
Mesothelioma
Pancreatic cancer
Liver cancer
Biliary tract cancer
Esophageal cancer
Stomach cancer
● GIST
Small intestine cancer
Colon cancer
Kidney cancer
Renal pelvis and ureter cancer
Bladder cancer
Prostate cancer
Cervical cancer
Ovarian cancer
Uterine sarcoma
Skin cancer
Melanoma
Sarcoma
Cancer of unknown primary origin
Approaches tailored to the state of cancer are possible
Cancer treatment with fewer side effects
Photoimmunotherapy is a treatment that selectively destroys cancer cells, with minimal impact on normal cells and extremely few post-treatment side effects . It is a treatment that is also chosen by elderly people and those looking for a treatment with fewer side effects. Photoimmunotherapy can be received by anyone regardless of age or stage of cancer.
Terminal cancer, recurrent cancer, and metastatic cancer are also eligible for treatment
Cancer photoimmunotherapy is not just a local attack using laser light.
Cancer cells destroyed by the irradiation of laser light release their own antibodies (cancer markers). When immune cells take up the released antigens, it is expected that the immune cells will be able to increase their attack on cancer cells remaining in the body . Photoimmunotherapy is expected to shrink and eliminate not only cancer cells in the treated area, but also cancer cells in other parts of the body .
Compatible with almost all types of cancer
Photoimmunotherapy is applicable to almost all types of cancer (solid cancer) .
It can be used to treat many types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, which is generally considered difficult to treat, as well as lung cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
Can be used in conjunction with standard treatment
Photoimmunotherapy does not interfere with the therapeutic effects of standard treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation).
By using them in combination, we can expect various synergistic effects , such as preventing the metastasis of invisible cancer cells that could not be completely removed and attacking drug-resistant cancer cells .
Surgery
radiation
Anticancer drugs
Photoimmunotherapy
＋
Treatment possible while continuing your normal life
Photoimmunotherapy is a treatment that can be received as an outpatient procedure .
You can fight cancer without the need for hospitalization or time off work, and while maintaining your quality of life (QOL).
Approaches tailored to the state of cancer are possible
Our hospital also performs intravascular therapy (CTC therapy). CTC therapy is a treatment that targets the phenomenon of cancer cells flowing through the blood. It is expected to be effective in suppressing cancer metastasis and recurrence .
What are circulating cancer cells (CTCs) and circulating cancer stem cells (CSCs)?
When cancer cells grow to a certain size, they invade the bloodstream in search of nutrients and oxygen.
These cancer cells are called circulating cancer cells (CTCs), and may also release circulating cancer stem cells (CSCs).
These cells can travel through the bloodstream and become the source of new cancers.
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.
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.
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.
※実際の治療では素肌の上から光を照射します
MLDS (Multi Laser Delivery System)
This is a laser device capable of low-power irradiation of less than 100 milliwatts. MLDS is the world's first approved system for intravenous, interstitial, and intraarticular photodynamic therapy (PDT). It can use six colors of light (ultraviolet, blue, green, yellow, red, and near-infrared) and can be used to irradiate interstitial (inside the skin), blood vessels, and joints.
MLDS is recognized as an EU (CE marking) and FDA approved medical device and is used in 30 countries around the world.
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.
ICG liposome
ICG liposomes are liposomes incorporating the photosensitive substance indocyanine green (ICG). ICG absorbs light of a specific wavelength and generates heat and singlet oxygen, destroying cancer cells and new blood vessels.
Because we use stealth liposomes made using special technology, it is possible to deliver photosensitive substances to cancer cells without being ingested by the immune system, making it more effective than conventional liposomes.
Talaporfin Liposome
Talaporfin liposomes are liposomes incorporating the photosensitive substance talaporfin. Talaporfin absorbs light of a specific wavelength and generates singlet oxygen, destroying cancer cells and new blood vessels. Compared to ICG liposomes, it has 10 times the antitumor effect .
Treatment Overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
Private medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
Q I am receiving standard treatment at another hospital, can I receive photoimmunotherapy?
Yes, you can. Photoimmunotherapy can be used in combination with standard treatment.
By combining this with standard treatment, we can expect a synergistic effect. Please rest assured that we will schedule your photoimmunotherapy treatment after checking your current treatment schedule at the hospital you are currently attending.
Q Is there anything I need to bring when I come to the hospital?
If possible, please bring three documents with you: CT or MRI, CT image data (CD-ROM), blood test results, and medication booklet.
If it is difficult to obtain image data, please rest assured that images can be taken at our affiliated medical institutions.
Q How long does photoimmunotherapy take?
Photoimmunotherapy is an outpatient treatment that takes two days per treatment (no hospitalization is required).
On the first day, the medication will be administered (for about 30 minutes), and on the second day, laser light will be applied (for about 15 minutes).
*The length of time patients stay at the clinic may vary depending on their medical condition and cancer status.
Q Is photoimmunotherapy effective for metastatic cancer?
Photoimmunotherapy can acquire new immunity against the treated cancer cells. It is expected that these immune cells capable of eliminating cancer cells will circulate throughout the body, and be effective against metastatic cancer in distant locations.
Q Are there any side effects like those of anti-cancer drugs?
Anticancer drugs attack not only cancer cells but also normal cells, which can cause side effects such as hair loss and nausea. On the other hand, photoimmunotherapy is a treatment that attacks only cancer cells, so it has very few post-treatment side effects. Please check here for possible side effects of photoimmunotherapy.
Private medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Step 2: Damage only cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact
Even if the temperature of normal cells rises, they are quickly cooled to normal temperature because there are normal blood vessels around them and their temperature is around 37°C.
In contrast, cancer cells contain a lot of water and the surrounding blood vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels, meaning that they tend to heat up easily and are slow to cool down.
This difference in properties means that only cancer cells are damaged by heat.
Cost (private medical treatment)
1 session 330,000 yen (tax included)
Private medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
- Indicate that it is an unapproved drug, etc., and indicate the acquisition route, etc.
The microwave irradiation device used in this treatment has not been approved under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. In Japan, unapproved 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 the one used in this treatment.
● Information on safety in foreign countries
The laser device (MLDS) used in this treatment is CE marked in Europe and Health Canada (Canadian FDA) certified in Canada.
USA: We have obtained medical device licenses from the US-FDA (external laser treatment, intravenous use are off-label uses), etc.