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 Immunotherapies】 Dendritic cell therapy and cancer antigen-recognition activated lymphocyte therapy |
【Nonspecific immunotherapies】 Activated lymphocyte therapy, BRM therapy |
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| A highly aggressive immune response that can target the patient’s cancer can be expected. Therapeutic effect can be expected against microscopic cancers. | It is not highly aggressive, but it can boost overall immunity. It is expected to be effective in the treatment of microscopic cancers. |
Immuno-Cell Therapy: 4 Features
Four features of autologous activated lymphocyte therapy should be mentioned.
- Few side effects
- Because it is administered by multiplying the patient’s own lymphocytes, there is little concern about side effects such as rejection. Therefore, it can be used safely for a long period of time, no matter what stage of cancer the patient is in or how debilitated the patient is. 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.
- Can improve subjective symptoms
- 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 a drug is added to activate and multiply the lymphocytes. The lymphocytes, which have increased approximately 1,000-fold, are then washed and collected, and returned to the body via intravenous infusion. | Homogenated 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 activated lymphocytes that have been increased 1,000-fold, the lymphocytes attack the cancer cells more specifically. |
Culture kits for sale
For veterinarians who have undergone culture training, we offer a culture kit that allows for simple culture. The culture kit includes everything necessary for a single treatment, from culture bag with antibodies, culture medium, and pipettes. The reagents included in the kit can be sold separately.Click here to purchase.
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 QOL (quality of life). Since recurrence of cancer is the most feared 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 often is it administered?
- The interval and frequency of dosing is determined in consultation with the patient’s medical condition. Standard treatment consists of 4 to 6 doses every 2 weeks, followed by 4 to 6 doses once a month. Thereafter, treatment is considered to be terminated, interrupted, or continued at the checkup.
- 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?
- The infusion takes about 30 minutes. Depending on the animal’s condition, it is recommended to keep the animal for about half a day just to be safe.
- 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.