NK cell therapy
About NK cells
NK cell therapy is a type of cancer immunotherapy that utilizes the function of your own NK cells.
NK cells are a type of immune cell found in lymphocytes, and are called "natural killer (NK) cells" because they are constantly capable of attacking foreign substances. When NK cells detect abnormal cells such as cancer cells or virus-infected cells, they can immediately attack them on their own. T cells and B cells cannot attack abnormal cells unless they receive information about them from antigen-presenting cells (antigen sensitization) and become activated. NK cells do not require antigen sensitization and can constantly attack abnormal cells. Due to this characteristic, NK cells play an important role in the development of cancer and defense against infectious diseases.
What is NK cell therapy?
This is a treatment that attacks cancer by extracting NK cells present in the patient's blood, enhancing their ability to attack cancer cells, and then returning them to the body.
Blood collection
It increases the proliferation of NK cells that fight cancer cells.
Centrifugation
Start of culture
Increasing NK cells in culture
Administered intravenously to patients
Characteristics of NK cell therapy
●NK cells in the body have the ability to detect and attack cancer cells. By increasing and activating these NK cells, a strong attacking power against cancer can be achieved.
● NK cell therapy also helps prevent cancer recurrence and metastasis, as proliferated and activated NK cells circulate throughout the body.
● Since it uses NK cells, which are immune cells with a high ability to destroy cancer cells, it is said to be effective in a relatively short period of time.
*However, the effectiveness of this product varies from person to person.
● 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
NK cells have the property of attacking cells that do not express MHC molecules, and therefore immediately eliminate cancer cells that do not express MHC molecules when they are found. However, some cancer cells express MHC molecules, and such cells cannot be eliminated by NK cells. However, some MHC molecules expressed on cancer cells present markers of cancer, and in this case they become targets of attack by T cells.
By combining NK cell therapy and dendritic cell vaccine therapy, it is possible to eliminate both cancer cells that do not express MHC molecules and cancer cells that express MHD molecules, and additive and synergistic effects can be expected.
Treatment overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
NK cell therapy flow
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 generate activated NK cells.
3. Generation of NK Cells
NK cells obtained from peripheral blood are stimulated with cytokines such as IL-2 and IL-15 to produce activated NK cells (cytokines such as IL-2 are substances that are also present in the bodies of healthy people).
4. NK Cell Administration
NK cells are administered intravenously over a period of approximately 30 minutes, approximately every 2-3 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 make a decision after the patient has undergone an examination and tests.
Cost (free medical treatment)
2,860,000 to 5,720,000 yen (tax included) / 1 course (6 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 be effective against a wide range of cancers, including renal cell carcinoma and skin cancer (malignant melanoma), and its effectiveness against breast cancer and ovarian cancer has also been reported (Cytotherapy. 2011.13:98.). In addition, when this therapy was combined with the anticancer drug docetaxel to treat lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer) that had progressed after chemotherapy, it was reported that the cancer did not worsen for more than three months in approximately half of the patients, and the cancer disappeared or shrank in approximately 10% of cases (Anticancer Res. 2013.33:2115.).
At our hospital, we hope to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients, as well as treat advanced cancer and prevent recurrence after cancer surgery. Although its effectiveness has not yet been established, this therapy, which is administered to healthy people, is expected to have effects such as cancer prevention by improving immunity.
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.).