(Ovarian Cancer) Cancer Treatment Using Immune Cells Derived from iPS Cells

On November 11, 2021, research teams from the National Cancer Center and Kyoto University's Institute for Advanced Medical Research announced via an online conference that they have begun treating patients with special immune cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) for cancer treatment.

The trial involved inserting genes that respond to proteins specific to ovarian cancer into iPS cells, cultivating them into special NK cells that can recognize ovarian cancer.

These NK cells can effectively attack ovarian cancer cells while having a lower likelihood of attacking normal cells, making it possible to expect fewer adverse events.

The trial will be conducted in 18 patients with inoperable, progressive ovarian cancer that has spread to the abdomen. Treatment will be administered once weekly, up to four times, to assess safety.

As of September of this year, a patient in their 50s had already received three treatments with no abnormalities detected.

Last year, a research group from RIKEN and others also conducted cancer treatment using immune cells derived from iPS cells.

Dr. Toshihiko Doi, Director of Advanced Medical Research at the National Cancer Center East Hospital, stated: "We will first confirm the safety of the trial, then establish rules for cell storage and transportation, and accelerate the practical application process."

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20211111/k10013344201000.html

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Related Cancer Information

• Ovarian cancer