Activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)
Why lymphocytes are important in fighting cancer
Lymphocytes are a component of white blood cells, and can be further classified into B cells (B lymphocytes), T cells (T lymphocytes), NK cells, etc. These cells work in teams to attack foreign substances such as viruses and other pathogens, as well as cancer cells. They also remember foreign substances that have entered the body, and when they invade again, they respond quickly and eliminate them based on this memory.
If the number of lymphocytes is low, they cannot attack cancer cells, which are a major enemy. In general, many people who suffer from cancer have a decrease in the number of immune cells and an imbalance in the types of cells. Activated lymphocyte therapy compensates for the lack of lymphocytes and prepares the body to attack cancer.
What is activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)?
This is a treatment method that attacks cancer by extracting lymphocytes present in the patient's blood, proliferating and activating mainly helper T cells and killer T cells, and returning them to the body.
Increasing the amount of lymphocytes in the body improves immunity, which is expected to have the effect of suppressing the progression of cancer and preventing recurrence and metastasis.
Blood collection
It stimulates the proliferation of T cells that fight cancer cells.
Centrifugation
Start of culture
Expanding T cells in culture
Administered intravenously to patients
Characteristics of activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)
● Lymphocytes in the body have the ability to detect and attack cancer cells. In particular, helper T cells and killer T cells are proliferated and activated, and then returned to the body, demonstrating a powerful attack against cancer.
● Because the patient's own lymphocytes are used, there are almost no side effects. It can be said that this treatment places less strain on the body.
● It can be used in combination with almost all cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, palliative care, etc.).
Combination therapy with dendritic cell vaccine therapy
It is believed that by combining activated lymphocyte therapy and dendritic cell vaccine therapy , it is possible to further amplify cancer-specific killer T cells and cancer-specific helper T cells that have already been amplified in the body, thereby improving the therapeutic effect.
We will propose the combination and timing of immunotherapy according to the patient's immune status.
Treatment overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
Flow of activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)
1. Blood tests
Blood samples will be taken and tested to check the patient's overall condition and whether they have any infectious diseases.
2. Peripheral blood collection
A blood sample is taken to produce activated lymphocytes.
3. Preparation of Activated Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood are stimulated with cytokines such as IL-2 to produce activated lymphocytes (cytokines such as IL-2 are substances that are also present in the bodies of healthy people).
4. Administration of activated lymphocytes
Activated lymphocytes are administered intravenously over a period of approximately 30 minutes, approximately every 2 to 3 weeks, but may be administered more frequently depending on the patient's condition.
Treatment period and number of times
The treatment will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will decide after the patient has undergone an examination and tests.
Cost (free medical treatment)
4,070,000 to 8,140,000 yen per course (4 sessions)
Side effects and risks
Studies conducted at university research institutions have reported that the side effects of this therapy are mild and are almost non-existent apart from fever.
About effectiveness
This therapy has been reported to have resulted in the disappearance or shrinkage of cancer in approximately 30% of cases of advanced metastatic skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and kidney cancer (J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993.85:622). Furthermore, a study conducted by the National Cancer Center reported that when this therapy was administered to prevent cancer recurrence after liver cancer removal surgery, the recurrence rate was reduced and the time until recurrence was extended (The Lancet. 2000.356:802). Additionally, this therapy has been reported to have resulted in temporary reduction or disappearance of pleural and ascites fluid caused by cancerous pleurisy or cancerous peritonitis (Gynecol Onco. 1989.34:34).
At our hospital, we hope to improve the quality of life (QOL) of our patients as well as treat advanced cancer and prevent recurrence after cancer surgery.
Regenerative medicine can only be provided by licensed doctors at facilities whose notification to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been accepted. Our hospital is a medical facility that has submitted a Type 3 regenerative medicine provision plan and obtained a plan number in accordance with the Regenerative Medicine Act (Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, etc.).