We work on the development of novel cancer treatments employing immune systems.
Cancer immunotherapy is a treatment method strengthening the immune system, which is a native endowment of every human being, and controlling growth and progression of cancer.
We study on and develop positive immunotherapies (e.g. dendritic cell vaccine therapy), which are to drive the patients’ immune responses to attack cancers, as well as passive immunotherapies, which are to strengthen and activate anti-cancer functions of T-cells and antibodies in vitro and return them to patients’ bodies.
Some newly-developed antibody drugs have proven suppressive effects against cancer growth and longer survival periods, and have been recognized as the fourth cancer treatment following after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
We are aiming at developing new immunotherapies through productions of cancer vaccines and antibodies, based on the study results of the HOPE Project, which is currently in progress.
Based on the analyses of the gene expressions and mutations with the immune-system-response-related gene panel testing system, we identify newly-discovered immune targeted molecules and tumor-specific mutant antigens also known as neoantigens.
We create monoclonal antibodies against newly-discovered targeting immune antigens identified by the affiliated study of the HOPE Project, and develop antibodies which can be applied to cancer diagnoses and treatments. Also, we assess the therapeutic effects of the antibodies against cancer with humanized models of immunodeficient mice.
We carry out clinical tests of activated dendritic cell vaccines in addition to the standard therapies for the patients of malignant gliomas as a collaborated study with the Division of Neurosurgery. The vaccines are produced at the cell therapy center, which has been officially approved as an authorized cell processing facility by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Welfare, and applied to the patients.
We carry out a research and development on the STAT3 inhibitor collaborating with the University of Shizuoka and the Shizuoka Institute of Environment and Hygiene. Another collaborating research with an enterprise is going on regarding a chemical compound having been granted a patent already.
