Japanese Clinics Conduct Clinical Trials Too!?

Japanese Clinics Conduct Clinical Trials Too!?

Japanese Clinics Conduct Clinical Trials Too!?

• September 16, 2016
• Read time: 2 minutes

Generally, Taiwanese patients directly visit major teaching hospitals for medical care. Upon arrival, they notice the overwhelming crowds. Japan is no exception—some teaching hospitals are similarly overcrowded, though not to the degree seen in Taiwan. Medical Supporter previously discussed why direct visits to teaching hospitals incur higher fees. The main reason is that without proper referral systems, teaching hospitals become overcrowded and cannot provide adequate quality care.

This article discusses clinics. Regardless of whether it's Taiwan or Japan, any medical institution, including private clinics, can establish clinical trials if they have sufficient funding and adequate human resources. Details about clinical trial establishment, government application procedures, review processes, and costs are beyond the scope of this article.

In Japan, for example, ICVS Clinic, famous for dendritic cell vaccine therapy, has representatives handling their business in Taiwan as well. Beyond Asia, they've established a U.S. corporation, the Renmi International Research Foundation, and actively collaborate with medical institutions worldwide. According to data from UMIN, they applied for an immunotherapy clinical trial in November 2012, with experimental ID UMIN000009375. The study involved mixed treatment comparing dendritic cell immunotherapy with conventional therapy in patients with recurrent cancer and Stage IV disease based on RECIST criteria. Volunteer recruitment wasn't limited to specific cancer types—all cancers were included, from head to foot. Their clinical trial assessment method uses RECIST standards, with follow-ups every three months in the first year, every six months in the second year, and annually in the third year. This trial's subsequent progress wasn't tracked, as it was registered as a 2012 project. Currently, we share only the information registered on UMIN. Age range is 20-80 years, both genders. Any Stage IV or recurrent patient is eligible—the scope is quite broad.

General Surgery / Surgery in general

Gastrointestinal Surgery / Gastrointestinal surgery

Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery / Hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery

Vascular Surgery / Vascular surgery

Chest Surgery / Chest surgery

Endocrine Surgery / Endocrine surgery

Breast Surgery / Breast surgery

Dermatology / Dermatology

Oto-rhino-laryngology / Oto-rhino-laryngology

Urology / Urology

Oral Surgery / Oral surgery

Interested parties can refer to: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&recptno=R000011021&language=J

Therefore, clinics do conduct clinical trials. With sufficient funding and human resources, ICVS applied to the appropriate Japanese government agency to test the efficacy of dendritic cell therapy versus conventional therapy. Other examples include clinics like Seta Clinic, which operates as a nationwide chain of specialty clinics. So never underestimate Japanese specialty clinics as simple neighborhood practices—some have resources and capabilities exceeding many teaching hospitals! Other experiences from assisting patients in Japan will be shared at our Japan Experience Seminar on 9/22. See you then!

#Related to Immunotherapy #Bladder Cancer #Renal Cell Carcinoma #Cervical Cancer #Urological Cancer #Gastric Cancer #Head and Neck Cancer #Ovarian Cancer #Kidney Cancer #Breast Cancer #Bile Duct Cancer #Anal Cancer #Pancreatic Cancer

• Clinical Trial Medications

  (Lung Cancer) Topotecan and Topotecan + Berzosertib Treatment Phase II Clinical Trial Results. (Lung Cancer) Is Enhertu Effective for HER2-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? (Lung Cancer) Is Anti-B7-H3 Antibody DS-7300 Effective?

Medical Supporter was formerly certified as a medical visa guarantor by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (B-066).

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