Treating Cancer with Immune Cells
Humans are born with a function called immunity, which removes bacteria and viruses that have invaded the body. For example, immunization with a measles shot prevents the measles virus from entering the body (elimination).
The body’s immunity is also closely related to the formation and metastasis of cancer. It is known that cancer is more likely to form when the body’s immunity is weakened, such as in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or in immune-suppressed body conditions caused by medications.
Cancer is usually removed by surgery, anticancer drugs, or radiation. In recent years, however, there have been attempts to control the onset and progress of cancer by utilizing or strengthening the immune system, which is innate to the human body. This is known as immunotherapy.
There are two types of immunotherapy: specific immunotherapy and nonspecific immunotherapy.
| 【Specific Immunotherapy】 Dendritic cell therapy and cancer antigen-recognition activated lymphocyte therapy |
【Nonspecific Immunotherapy】 Activated Lymphocyte Therapy, BRM Therapy |
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| By targeting the cancer, a highly aggressive immune response can be expected. | It does not have high offensive power, but it can increase overall immunity. |
Immuno-Cell Therapy: 4 Features
Four features of autologous activated lymphocyte therapy should be mentioned.
- Few side effects
- Because it is administered by growing one’s own lymphocytes, there is little concern about rejection or other serious side effects. It can be used safely for any stage of cancer, regardless of the patient’s physical weakness or the degree of progression of the cancer. Its effectiveness in combination with anti-cancer drugs and radiation therapy has also been studied, with reports of enhanced immunity and reduced side effects. This is the greatest advantage for patients.
- Life-extending effects are seen.
- Many of the patients currently undergoing immunotherapy are in what is called the terminal stage of cancer. More than half of them are too weak or the cancer has metastasized to a large extent to choose treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy. The main focus of treatment is to prevent the cancer from getting bigger, rather than to hurt the body with anti-cancer drugs and other treatments.
- Quality of life is improved
- As cancer progresses, patients experience painful symptoms such as pain and anemia, but immunotherapy can alleviate such suffering. By improving subjective symptoms, patients can lead a normal life, even if they still have cancer in their bodies. Patients who have lost weight due to lack of appetite may regain appetite and gain weight after lymphocytes are administered.
- Synergy with other therapies
- Not only prevention of recurrence after surgery, but also synergistic effects when combined with other treatment methods can be expected. There have been cases in which the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various other therapies such as Chinese herbal medicine and hyperthermia has been effective. It is also expected to reduce the side effects of other therapies.
What is cancer immunotherapy?
Animals have a natural healing power called immunity (lymphocytes of white blood cells) that tries to heal itself against diseases and injuries, and attacks and kills cancer cells that have formed in the body and bacteria and viruses that have invaded the body. Immuno-cell therapy is a treatment method that suppresses the onset and progression of cancer by utilizing or strengthening the power of such innate immunity.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy have been the three major therapies for the treatment of cancer. Cancer immunotherapy has been studied around the world as a fourth therapy and as a treatment to improve quality of life (QOL) so that patients can lead a normal life without the suffering inherent in cancer treatment, and it has become a clinically effective treatment.
Types of Immuno-Cell Therapy
| Activated lymphocyte (CAT) therapy | Dendritic cell-activated lymphocyte (DC-CAT) therapy |
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| Lymphocytes are collected from 10-12 ml of canine or feline blood (10-12 ml), and drugs are added to activate and multiply the lymphocytes. 2 weeks later, the lymphocytes, which have increased approximately 1,000-fold, are washed, collected, and returned to the body via intravenous infusion. | Grinded cancer cells (tumor tissue) are cultured together with dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are cells that have a marker to make lymphocytes attack cancer cells specifically. By administering these dendritic cells and lymphocytes that have been activated and increased 1,000-fold, the treatment specifically attacks cancer cells. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can cancer be cured?
- It is said that it is difficult to completely cure advanced or terminal cancers with immunotherapy. On the other hand, it is expected to be very effective in stopping the progression of cancer, preventing recurrence, and improving quality of life (QOL). Since recurrence of cancer is the most frightening aspect of cancer, prevention of cancer recurrence after surgery is considered to be an effective treatment.
- Are there any side effects?
- Side effects are limited to occasional mild fever. Since these are autologous lymphocytes, there are no reports of serious side effects.
- How long will the treatment continue?
- The interval and frequency of dosing will be determined in consultation with the patient’s medical condition. Standard treatment consists of four to six doses given once every two weeks to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. Thereafter, the patient’s progress will be monitored to determine whether treatment should be continued.
- Can it be used in combination with other treatments?
- It is possible. Combination therapy with anticancer agents, radiotherapy, or Chinese herbal therapy may be highly effective if the timing of the two treatments is taken into consideration. Please consult with your veterinarian before using these therapies in combination.
- Do I need to be hospitalized?
- When administering the drug, an infusion is administered over a period of 30 minutes to 1 hour. After administration, we recommend that the patient be observed in the hospital under the veterinarian’s judgment.
- How much does it cost?
- Please consult your veterinarian for more information, as it depends on the number of doses and the type of immuno-cell therapy.