Maki Clinic Nagoya: Low-Dose Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors & Combined Cell Therapy
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This article is a summary of international medical information and is not medical advice; it cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment plan of your attending physician. The medical technologies, drug information and clinical data presented here are compiled from public literature and official statements of Japanese medical institutions; the applicability and outcome of any therapy vary with each patient and must be assessed individually by a qualified physician.
Located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Maki Clinic is one of our partner clinics. It offers immunotherapy that uses a lower dose of the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab (brand name Opdivo), a prescription anti-PD-1 antibody, sometimes together with cell therapy. According to the clinic, its director began exploring low-dose administration in 2015.
The Clinic's Low-Dose Approach
The standard dose of Opdivo (nivolumab) is 240 mg per administration. Maki Clinic uses a lower dose than this, which means the approach is the clinic's own protocol rather than a standard, approved regimen. According to the clinic:
- About 20 mg per administration: The clinic reports using roughly 6% to 10% of the standard dose. Its effect and safety at this dose have not been established by large comparative trials.
- Side effects: Nivolumab can cause immune-related side effects, such as interstitial pneumonia, at any dose. Please discuss the risks with the physician.
Combined Cell Therapy
In addition to the drug, the clinic also offers cell therapy:
- NK Cell Therapy: Natural killer (NK) cells are cultured and given together with the drug.
- iNKT Cell Therapy: A therapy that uses iNKT cells, a type of lymphocyte.
These are self-pay treatments, and their effects have not been established in large clinical trials.
About the Clinic
According to the clinic, its director has treated more than 150 patients with advanced cancer, and the clinic's data have been presented in clinical studies published in India in 2022. Maki Clinic is one of our partner clinics. If you are considering this clinic, please discuss the treatment, its risks and its costs with your physician and with the clinic.
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