Cancer stem cell testing
Until "cancer" is established
Cancer is a disease in which a single cancer cell repeatedly divides and grows, forming a mass that grows uncontrollably. As the mass grows, it metastasizes to other organs, forming new masses there and spreading. The presence or absence of metastasis has a significant impact on the stage and prognosis of the disease, and if metastasis occurs, treatment becomes more difficult. In many cases, metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, invade blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, and attach to other organs, where they continue to divide and grow.
What are CTC and CSC?
CTCs and CSCs are cells known as circulating tumor cells and circulating stem cells, respectively. These cells circulate by infiltrating the bloodstream after detaching from the primary tumor, and CSCs are known to be the main cells that form metastatic lesions.
What is cancer stem cell testing?
The cancer stem cell test involves taking a 20mL blood sample and examining the presence and number of CTCs and CSCs in the blood.
This test reveals the following:
1. Early detection of cancer
Imaging tests such as CT and MRI, which are generally used to detect cancer, have difficulty detecting cancers smaller than 5mm to 1cm in size. However, cancer stem cell tests can sometimes detect cancers smaller than this size if they have infiltrated the bloodstream.
2. Determining the progression and malignancy of cancer
Measuring the number of CTCs and CSCs in the blood provides a guide for determining the possibility of recurrence or metastasis, prognosis, and the level of treatment required after surgery.
Additionally, by checking the gene expression of CTCs and CSCs shown below, we will also assess the molecular biological progression and malignancy.
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Genes related to metastasis and invasion
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Angiogenesis-related genes
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Genes related to signal transduction pathways
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Growth factor receptor-related genes
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Hormone receptor-related genes
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Cell cycle-related genes
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Genes associated with treatment resistance
3. Evaluation of treatment effectiveness
CTCs and CSCs are cultured and expanded, and then further cultured with anti-cancer drugs (50 types), molecular drugs (44 types), and natural ingredients (approximately 50 types), allowing us to identify ingredients that are highly effective in killing cancer cells. This will enable treatment using anti-cancer drugs that are expected to be effective.
In addition, by conducting cancer stem cell tests before and after chemotherapy, it is possible to determine whether the anticancer drugs used are effective.
Fees (private medical treatment)
Cancer stem cell testing (CTC testing/CSC testing): 660,000 yen (tax included)