Recent research suggests that although cancer cells are always present, the natural immune system, such as NK cells, is thought to be able to identify and eliminate cancer cells. Therefore, when NK cell function declines, the inability to remove cancer cells may lead to their proliferation and formation of clinical tumors.

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There is a protein called MHC class I on the cell surface of normal cells. MHC class I can present intracellular substances (antigens) outside the cell. Aged cells or cancer cells display specific antigens on the outside, and dendritic cells recognize these antigens and differentiate between normal cells and abnormal cells based on their types. When abnormal cells are recognized, dendritic cells instruct killer T cells, and these T cells carry the antigen to patrol the body. When T cells recognize the antigen of abnormal cells, they inject some proteins, such as perforin and granulin. , and stimulate cell membrane receptors and destroy abnormal cells through Fas ligand, etc. Therefore, cancer cells possessing MHC class I are excluded by this mechanism.

However, some cancer cells lack MHC class I expression. These cancer cells are not recognized by dendritic cells or killer T cells, so they survive. As a response to this situation, NK cells specifically attack cells lacking MHC class I. Therefore, when NK cell function decreases, this type of cancer cell is more likely to survive.

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In addition, recent clinical studies have shown that some molecular targeted drugs (such as Herceptin, Perjeta, Rituxan, etc.) and NK cells can destroy cancer cells through cell-mediated immune defense mechanism (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity; ADCC). This mechanism allows NK cells to recognize cancer cells with molecularly targeted drugs, even if the NK cells cannot recognize these cells directly. These findings have attracted attention and are regarded as an example of the synergistic effect of the combined application of chemotherapy and immune cell therapy, becoming an important direction in the research of new cancer treatment strategies.

NK cell activity and cancer incidence

So far, I have introduced you to the relationship between NK cells and cancer cells. From a health perspective, maintaining the activity level of NK cells is related to preventing the progression of cancer.

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As we age, NK cell activity levels decrease, making cancer more susceptible to cancer even after middle age. Even if young people are prone to colds, etc., it may indicate that the activity level of NK cells is low. Middle-aged and elderly people also need treatment to maintain high activity levels of NK cells.

NK cell therapy has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a means of preventing cancer. It is recommended to regularly supplement highly active NK cells to increase their activity levels to eliminate developing cancer cells.

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For cancer patients, increasing the activity of NK cells can also be used as a treatment. Since cancer patients will suffer from decreased NK cell function, it is also recommended to perform NK cell therapy while receiving other cancer treatments. However, patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as Opdivo, Yervoy) cannot receive NK cell therapy at the same time. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have the effect of isolating cancer from the immune system, which also affects normal cells, so NK cells May attack normal cells.

Ginza Phoenix Clinic provides a variety of immune cell treatments depending on the patient's condition. For those interested in NK cell therapy, please feel free to inquire.

1.  Phlebotomy: drawing blood from a patient

2. Isolation: Separating lymphocytes from various cells in the blood

3. Culture: Cultivate, proliferate, and activate NK cells

4. Intravenous drip: injecting activated NK cells back into the body

5. In vivo: Highly activated NK cells attack cancer cells, bacteria and viruses through antigens. 

Clinic introduction

Ginza Phoenix Clinic has obtained the second and third category certifications for regenerative medicine issued by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and implements regenerative medicine in two major fields, namely "cancer immune cell therapy" and "stem cell therapy". The quality of immune cell therapy, including cell activity, is the most important. The Ginza Phoenix Clinic has a cell culture center that can provide the highest quality cell therapy. Ginza Phoenix Clinic has a team of physicians with extensive experience in regenerative medicine research and treatment. We will not give up on patient treatment, pay close attention to the patient's mood, and pursue various possibilities.