Cancer immunotherapy integrative medicine "AIIM"
What is the Akagi Method, an integrated cancer immunotherapy treatment?
"AIIM" is a treatment program that combines thermotherapy, high-concentration hydrogen-oxygen gas inhalation therapy, low-dose anticancer drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and other treatments to restore a state in which the entire process of a cancer patient's "cancer immunity cycle" functions properly, thereby containing the cancer.
The "AIIM" is chosen by people who have the following concerns:
● No treatment has been found for stage 4 intractable cancer
● It was diagnosed as having no cure
● Wanting cancer treatment without surgery
● I am suffering from the side effects of anti-cancer drugs and want to find an alternative treatment.
● Considering treatment other than anti-cancer drugs
● I don't want to give up on treatment for metastatic or terminal cancer .
● I am worried about my current cancer treatment .
● Symptoms do not improve even with anti - cancer drug treatment
● Looking for a second opinion on cancer treatment
● I want to prevent recurrence after cancer surgery
● Looking for cancer treatment with fewer side effects
Treatments that make up the "AIIM"
Since each patient's immune and cancer condition is different, we provide treatment by combining therapies appropriately for each individual.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Our bodies have an immune system that protects us by attacking bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, etc.
The immune system also has a braking function to prevent it from becoming overactive and attacking its own cells.
The immune checkpoint mechanism is one of the most prominent brakes.
Recent research has revealed that cancer cells use this braking function to escape attack by the immune system.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been developed to combat this.
This drug releases the brakes and allows the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy (anti-cancer drug treatment)
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs or chemicals to attack cancer cells and suppress or destroy their growth.
This treatment is capable of searching for and destroying cancer cells throughout the body. The "AIIM", an integrated cancer immunotherapy, uses anti-cancer drugs, but is characterized by low doses and few side effects.
Heat therapy (hyperthermia)
Hyperthermia is a treatment that takes advantage of the heat-sensitive nature of cancer cells.
Human cells die rapidly at 42.5-43°C, so this property can be used to specifically raise the temperature of cancer cells, thereby killing the cancer.
This treatment uses high frequency waves to heat cancer cells and eliminate only the cancer, with few side effects and a mild impact on the body.
Furthermore, when used in combination with common cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, it can improve therapeutic effects.
Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy
Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy is a method for reducing oxidative stress in the body. Mitochondria in our cells produce the energy necessary for cellular activity, but in the process, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated. These include superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, which oxidize cellular proteins and DNA, damaging the cells. Hydroxyl radicals, in particular, are highly reactive and are involved in many diseases, including aging, cancer, and diabetes. This treatment aims to remove hydroxyl radicals by inhaling hydrogen (H2) gas, thereby inhibiting the progression of cancer and reducing the side effects of treatment.
Cancer types that can be treated with the "AIIM"
Our hospital treats almost all types of cancer (solid cancer).
We also offer treatment suggestions for stages I to IV, recurrent cancer, metastatic cancer, and cancer prevention.
*Not suitable for blood cancer.
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
What is the cancer immunity cycle?
The mechanism by which the immune system induces killer T cells to defeat cancer cells is called the "cancer immunity cycle."
The most important aspect of immunity is inducing healthy killer T cells, and the cancer immunity cycle shows the seven steps involved in this process.
When this "cancer immunity cycle" functions properly, our bodies protect themselves by attacking and eliminating cancer cells, which are said to be generated at a rate of 5,000 per day.
In many cancer patients, this "cancer immune cycle" is not functioning properly, allowing the cancer to progress. By activating the "cancer immune cycle" and making it function properly, it becomes possible to control and suppress the growth of cancer cells.
1
Release of cancer antigens
When cancer cells are destroyed by various factors, they release "cancer antigens" that serve as markers for immune cells to find the cancer cells.
3
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5
Cancer cell invasion
Killer T cells infiltrate (penetrate and spread) into cancer tissue.
7
Attack and elimination of killer T cells
Killer T cells attack cancer cells.
2
Cancer cell presentation
A type of immune cell called a dendritic cell takes in the cancer cells destroyed in step 1 and presents a marker to killer T cells, indicating that "this is cancer!"
4
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6
Cancer cell recognition
Killer T cells recognize the cells as cancer cells.
How the "AIIM" Works
The "AIIM", an integrated cancer immunotherapy treatment, provides customized treatments in line with the cancer immune cycle, using the immune system's natural power to contain cancer cells.
What is integrated cancer immunotherapy?
1) Low-dose anticancer drug therapy
2) Heat therapy
3) Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy
4) Immune checkpoint inhibitors
This is a treatment method that combines the above four treatments to treat cancer by making the "cancer immunity cycle" function properly.
STEP 1
Destroys cancer cells and presents antigens
Low-dose anticancer drug therapy
Cancer-immune cycle
1
First, cancer cells are intentionally attacked with a small amount of anti-cancer drug, which causes the "killer T cells*" to identify cancer antigens that serve as markers for later attack. Because only one-third to one-fourth of the standard dose of anti-cancer drug is used, there are almost no side effects. Damage to the immune system is also suppressed, and there are also published papers showing that low doses of anti-cancer drugs can actually activate the immune system.
*Killer T cells: Cells that identify and attack abnormal or infected cells in the body.
STEP 2
Cancer antigen presentation by dendritic cells and activation of killer T cells
Low-dose Yervoy therapy
Cancer-immune cycle
2
3
Dendritic cells are cells that act as the command center of the immune system, giving instructions to the killer T cells mentioned above to attack cancer.
In STEP 1, these dendritic cells educate and activate killer T cells so that they can find markers (cancer antigens) expressed on cancer cells. During this process, Yervoy is used as needed to suppress the activity of an immunosuppressive molecule called CTLA-4. Yervoy binds to CTLA-4 on killer T cells, releasing the brakes on immunosuppression.
STEP 3
Infiltration of killer T cells into cancer cells
heat therapy
Cancer-immune cycle
4
5
Activated killer T cells patrol the blood vessels, searching for cancer tissue. When they find cancer cells, they infiltrate (penetrate) the tissue. Blood flow is important in this step. Good blood flow allows immune cells to be transported smoothly.
Here, hyperthermia is used to increase blood flow, allowing the activated killer T cells to be transported smoothly to the cancer tissue. 38-40°C is the temperature at which the immune system is most active, and it activates the immune system surrounding the cancer tissue. Cancer cells are also sensitive to heat, so raising the temperature of cancer tissue to 42-43°C specifically kills cancer cells. It has also been shown to amplify the effects of anti-cancer drugs.
STEP 4
Recognizing and attacking cancer cells
Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy + low-dose Opdivo therapy
Cancer-immune cycle
6
7
There is a key point when killer T cells recognize and attack cancer tissue: removing the immune suppression (brake) imposed by PD-1 (an immune checkpoint molecule that emits signals to suppress the function of killer T cells) on the killer T cells, allowing the killer T cells to unleash their attacking power.
Inhaling hydrogen prevents damage to mitochondrial DNA caused by harmful reactive oxygen species, activates dysfunctional mitochondria, and increases energy production. Killer T cells, whose mitochondria are activated and functioning again, regain the regulatory function of PD-1 and are once again ready to fight cancer.
When Opdivo is administered when activated killer T cells have gathered in cancer tissue, it shows extremely excellent effects, whereas Opdivo usually only shows effects in 20-30% of cases. We have named the combined therapy of hydrogen inhalation and Opdivo "hydrogen gas immunotherapy," and have published the results of this clinical trial in the British medical journal "Oncology Letters."
Side effects of the "AIIM"
The "AIIM", an integrated cancer immunotherapy treatment, may cause the following side effects, but they are all mild. The "AIIM" uses anticancer drugs and medications such as Opdivo and Yervoy, all of which are low-dose and have few side effects.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects of anticancer drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors
Digestive symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite), throat discomfort, itchy eczema, thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, fever, fatigue, stomatitis, bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), etc.
Side effects of heat therapy
Rarely low-temperature burns
Consultation procedure
2. Counseling
We will check the patient's condition and symptoms.
We will perform the necessary tests and evaluate suitability. We will explain the treatment policy and the "AIIM", and inform you of the treatment schedule and fees.
3. Launch of the "AIIM" integrated cancer immunotherapy treatment
Since the immune and cancer conditions vary from patient to patient, we aim to restore the function of the "cancer-immune cycle" by appropriately combining treatments tailored to each individual.
Regarding elective medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
● Clear indication that the drug is an unapproved drug
[Intravenous drip treatment]
・Opdivo intravenous infusion
- Yervoy intravenous infusion
- Anticancer drug intravenous infusion
・Keytruda intravenous infusion
The above medications are approved, but because they are used in low doses, they are not covered by insurance.
[Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy]
Hydrogen gas inhalation therapy was recognized as an "advanced medical treatment" by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016 for "post-cardiac arrest syndrome (hydrogen gas inhalation therapy for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest)." However, this treatment is an unauthorized use of an approved medical device.
[Heat therapy]
Hyperthermia (some conditions are not applicable)
● Acquisition route etc.
Available through domestic distributors.
● Availability of domestically approved drugs, etc.
There are no other domestically approved drugs with the same properties that can be used for this treatment.
● Information on safety in other countries
There is currently no information regarding safety in other countries.
● As this is elective medical treatment using unapproved drugs, it is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Adverse Reaction Relief System.