[Regenerative medicine] Activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)
Why lymphocytes are important in fighting cancer
Lymphocytes are a component of white blood cells, and are further classified into B cells (B lymphocytes), T cells (T lymphocytes), NK cells, etc. These cells form teams to attack foreign substances such as viruses and other pathogens and cancer cells. In addition, they remember foreign substances that have invaded the body, and when the same foreign substance invades again, they have the function of quickly responding and eliminating it based on their 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 decreased number of immune cells and an imbalance in the types of cells. Activated lymphocyte therapy compensates for the lack of lymphocytes and builds the body's ability to attack cancer.
What is activated lymphocyte therapy (LAK therapy)?
This is a treatment 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
Centrifugation
It stimulates the proliferation of cancer-fighting T cells.
Start of culture
Expanding T cells in culture
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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, exerting a strong attacking power against cancer.
● Since 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 effectiveness of the treatment.
We will propose combinations 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 or not they have an infectious disease.
2. Peripheral Blood Collection
A blood sample will be 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 about 30 minutes. This is done approximately every 2 to 3 weeks, but may be done more frequently depending on the patient's condition.
Treatment period and frequency
The treatment plan will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will decide after you have undergone an examination and tests.
Cost (private medical treatment)
Please note that treatment will vary depending on the patient's condition and symptoms, so we will inform you of the treatment plan after it has been decided.
Side effects and risks
Studies conducted at university research institutes and other institutions have reported that side effects of this therapy are mild and rarely observed apart from fever.
About efficacy
It has been reported that this therapy was administered to advanced skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and kidney cancer with metastasis, resulting in disappearance or shrinkage of the cancer in approximately 30% of cases (J Natl Cancer Inst. 1993.85:622.). In addition, a study by the National Cancer Center reported that when this therapy was administered to prevent cancer recurrence after liver cancer removal surgery, the recurrence rate decreased and the time until recurrence was extended (The Lancet. 2000.356:802.). In addition, it has been reported that when this therapy was administered to treat pleural and ascites caused by cancerous pleurisy or cancerous peritonitis, the volume of pleural and ascites fluid was temporarily reduced or disappeared (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 under the Regenerative Medicine Act (Act on Ensuring the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, etc.).