Cancer gene therapy
What is gene therapy?
This treatment involves administering specific proteins to normalize genes that have mutated for some reason.
The two targeted genes are p53 and PTEN, both of which are well-known 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 and kill cancer cells by restoring these tumor suppressor genes to normal.In addition, this treatment does not use the commonly used viral vectors, but instead uses cationic liposomes, making it a safer treatment.
Application Areas
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Treatment of various cancers
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Prevention of 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-dose 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 and inhibits the enzyme Akt, which mainly mediates cell survival (proliferation), thereby restoring the functions of apoptosis (suicide) and cell proliferation inhibition.
Treatment overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
Treatment period and number of times
The treatment will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will make a decision after the patient has undergone an examination and tests.
Cost (free medical treatment)
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.
● Clear indication that the drug is an unapproved drug, etc., and clear indication of the acquisition route, etc.
The unapproved drugs used in this treatment have not yet been approved under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device 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 domestically approved drugs that have the same properties as those used in this treatment.
● Information on safety in other countries
Germline-integration risk assessment
General Principles to Address the Risk of Inadvertent Germline Integration of Gene Therapy Vectors Oct. 2006