Tokyo Midtown Center for Advanced Medical Science and Technology

Cancer Immunothrapy

“The power of immune system” is essential for cancer treatment and prevention

The immune system is deeply involved in both the development and recurrence of cancer. We believe that maintaining or enhancing body’s immune system can support treatment outcomes, prevent recurrence, and reduce side effects.

Role of Immunotherapy 01The foundation of cancer treatment

If a tree represents cancer treatment, then the immune system is its roots. Though invisible, the immune system provides the essential foundation that supports effective cancer care.

Role of Immunotherapy 02Enhancing treatment efficacy

By maintaining and strengthening the immune system—the “roots” of cancer treatment—it supports the entire treatment process. Strong immune system enables cancer treatments to perform at its full potential.

Role of Immunotherapy 03Reducing side effects

When the roots are weak, the tree (cancer treatment) might fall under its own weight. Reinforcing the immune system helps reduce the burden of cancer treatment and provides a stable foundation that can endure.

Cancer Treatment: The power of immunity in supporting cancer treatment.

Cancer Treatment at Our Institution (1)Dendritic Cell Vaccine Therapy:
Targeting Cancer Through the Immune System’s Control Center

Dendritic cells are a type of immune cell that gather information (tumor markers) about foreign substances such as cancer cells and relay it to the body’s attacking immune cells. Dendritic cell vaccine therapy uses this function by artificially loading dendritic cells with cancer-specific antigens (tumor markers) and reintroducing them into the body. This approach strengthens the body’s natural immune response to cancer.

Treatment Process

1. Extraction

A blood sample is collected, and immune cells—the precursors to dendritic cells—are extracted from the blood.

2. Cell Culture

In the cell production clean room, dendritic cells are taught to recognize the specific characteristics (markers) of the cancer.

What are the cancer antigens (tumor markers)?

Cancer cells often produce unique proteins or express certain proteins at much higher levels than normal cells. These proteins are called cancer antigens.
Cancer antigens often result from mutations in the cancer cell’s genetic code, producing abnormal proteins that the immune system recognizes as foreign.
Immune cells such as lymphocytes use these antigens as markers to distinguish cancer cells from normal ones, allowing them to target and attack the cancer.
There are many types of cancer antigens, and the effectiveness of dendritic cell vaccine therapy depends on which antigen is selected for treatment.

3. Reintroduction into the Body

The enhanced dendritic cells—now equipped with the ability to recognize cancer markers—are reintroduced into the patient’s body as a vaccine.

4. Attack on Cancer Cells

The dendritic cells present the learned tumor markers to attacking immune cells (such as lymphocytes). These immune cells then identify and target cancer cells that display the same markers, launching a precise and coordinated immune response.

Dendritic cells present cancer markers to immune cells. Immune cells (lymphocytes) attack cancer cells.

Cancer Treatment at Our Institution (2)Adopting next-generation cancer antigens (markers)
We have adopted cutting-edge technology developed through joint research with a university hospital to provide two advanced types of dendritic cell vaccine therapies.

“WT1 peptide” × “dendritic cell vaccine therapy”
“Neoantigen” × “dendritic cell vaccine therapy”

Treating various cancer types using artificial cancer antigens (markers)
“WT1 peptide” × “dendritic cell vaccine therapy”

The WT1 peptide is based on the WT1 protein, which is found in many types of cancer. Professor Haruo Sugiyama of the Faculty of Medicine at Osaka University developed this artificially synthesized peptide to activate immune cells.

WT1 has also been found to be expressed in cancer stem cells—the progenitor cells that give rise to cancer. Because of this, the WT1 peptide is now being widely used in cancer treatment, including as a target in dendritic cell vaccine therapy.

Customized treatment at the genetic level
“Neoantigen” × “dendritic cell vaccine therapy”

Neoantigens are a newly formed protein fragments (antigens) that are produced by cancer cells due to DNA mutations, but are not found in normal cells. Neoantigens are analyzed thanks to advances in gene analysis technology. Cancer cells and its genetic mutation will continuously change in response to a cancer treatment and/or progression, hence the neoantigens will also continue to alter in its protein sequence and/or in detected number. By applying neoantigens to dendritic cell vaccine therapy, the treatment will target each patient’s unique cancer at the genetic level.

This immunotherapy is based on the clinical trial on safety and treatment feasibility, conducted in collaboration with the Jikei University School of Medicine.

Neoantigens are markers found only in an individual's own cancer cells, and they have the ability to change continuously in response to treatment and cancer progression.

Analyzing current genes without an invasive tissue extracton

Our center has introduced “liquid biopsy,” a technique that analyzes the genetic information of cancer through a simple blood test. This allows to detect and identify neoantigens without the need for cancer tissue.

By regularly analyzing and identifying neoantigens, we provide personalized treatment at the genetic level—tailored to “attack the cancer at that particular moment.

Analysis / Liquid Biopsy / Neoantigen Identification / Dendritic Cell Vaccine Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that aims to restore damaged tissues or lost functions by replenishing “stem cells,” which are essential for anti-inflammation and regeneration.

These cells play a vital role in healing and restoration, and clinical research is being conducted across a wide range of fields—from the treatment and prevention of serious illnesses to anti-aging applications such as hair growth and skin rejuvenation.

Recognizing the powerful potential of stem cells, the Tokyo Midtown Center for Advanced Medical Science and Technology offers stem cell therapy as a solution to treat arteriosclerosis, joint pain, frailty prevention, and skin problems with the goal to prevent serious illnesses and to improve physical function.

Frailty refers to the transitional stage between a healthy state and the need for nursing care.
Over the course of aging, people may experience decline in physical strength, reduced mobility, and a need for assistance, even in the absence of specific illnesses.
This decline in physical and mental function is referred to as frailty.

Through Midtown Clinic Group’s Stem Cell TherapyEarly Action towards Major health conditions
To maintain physical function and prevent disease progression

Treatment and Prevention of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the endothelial lining of blood vessels is damaged—often due to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or high blood pressure. This vascular disease can lead to severe conditions, including various heart diseases, heart stroke, and/or brain stroke.

It is particularly important for middle-aged and elderly individuals, or those with suspected lifestyle-related diseases—such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes—to take early preventive measures.

Arteriosclerosis / Angina Pectoris / Myocardial Infarction / Cerebral Infarction / Cerebral Hemorrhage

Arteriosclerosis is a leading cause of heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, two of the top causes of death in Japan.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Overview of Reiwa 1 (2019) Vital Statistics Monthly Report (Preliminary Figures)”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/nengai19/dl/ gaikyouR1.pdf

Stem Cell Therapy for Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is characterized by damage inside the blood vessels.
In Midtown Clinic Group’s stem cell therapy, a patient’s own stem cells are harvested, cultivated outside the body, multiplied, and then reintroduced. This process aims to repair and regenerate blood vessels, improving symptoms By reducing inflammation within the blood vessels, it may also help prevent the progression of the disease.

Treatment and Prevention of Age-Related Joint Pain

If untreated, age-related Joint Pain can worsen, limit mobility, and negatively affect daily life.

Midtown Clinic Group offers stem cell therapy aimed at reducing inflammation and alleviating pain, helping patients maintain their physical activity.

Treatment and Prevention of Frailty

Frailty refers to the physical decline that comes with aging—characterized by slower walking, fatigue, reduced strength and activity, and weight loss. To enjoy a longer, healthier life, early intervention is essential.
Midtown Clinic Group provides stem cell therapy to support patients in maintaining physical function and preventing functional decline associated with aging.

Stop the progression of frailty with early measures Take efforts to restore health

Customized Treatment
Using the patient’s own stem cells

Midtown Clinic Group adopts a Personalized approach—cultivating and expanding each patient’s own stem cells for treatment tailored to individual needs.

1: Harvest stem cells from the patient's own cells. 2: Cultivate stem cells and amplify them in large quantities. 3: Reintroduce (administer) the amplified stem cells into the body. We provide personalized treatment using the patient's own cells.

Harvesting Stem Cells from a Small Amount of Tissue
Reducing Physical Burden with Minimal Extraction

At Midtown Clinic Group, stem cells used for treatment are harvested from abdominal fat. The volume collected is equivalent to just 2–3 grains of rice, which places minimal strain on the body. The fat extraction procedure takes approximately 20 min, after which the patient can return home immediately. Patients may take a shower the same day, and a bath the following day, allowing the treatment to have minimal impact on daily life.

What Are Stem Cells?

Cell Production, Tissue Repair, and Regeneration

Throughout the body—including vital tissues such as bones, blood, and organs—cells are constantly being renewed. Old or damaged cells are routinely replaced with new ones to maintain the body’s overall function and health. The cells responsible for producing and replenishing these lost or damaged cells are known as “stem cells.”They play a crucial role in sustaining the body’s ability to repair itself and maintain proper function.

Stem cells have two primary abilities:
Differentiation Ability: The capacity to become various types of cells that make up the body, such as skin cells, blood cells, nerve cells, and muscle cells. Self-Renewal Ability: The ability to replicate and produce identical copies of themselves with the same functional capabilities.

Detecting Damaged Areas for Automatic Repair and Regeneration

By generating new cells, stem cells can replace those lost due to disease or injury, thereby repairing and regenerating damaged areas. Stem cells are found throughout the body, but when damaged tissue sends out a signal, stem cells receive it and travel via the bloodstream to the affected area for repair and regeneration.

This natural tendency to gather at damaged sites is known as the “homing effect” (also called auto-tracking), which allows stem cells to automatically detect and target areas in need of regeneration.

Damaged tissue sends out an SOS signal. Stem cells that have received SOS signal travel via the bloodstream and gather at the damaged site(homing effect). Repair and regenerate damaged tissue.

Stem cells decrease with age.
Stem cell therapy aims to amplify regenerative ability

The number of stem cells in the body generally decreases with age, although this varies between individuals. Newborns have a large quantity of stem cells, but as we age, both the number of stem cells and their regenerative capacity decline.

Stem cell therapy aims to enhance regenerative ability by cultivating, multiplying, and reintroducing stem cells into the body.

Stem cells decrease with age, and become only 1/200 of those in a newborn when a person enters his/her 80s. Amplify cells with stem cell therapy.

About Us

Promoting the establishment and provision of next-generation medical care with operational support from the Resorttrust Group.

Our center is dedicated to promoting the establishment and delivery of next-generation medical care, with operational support from Advanced Medical Care Inc., a group company of Resorttrust,Inc.

We aim to provide personalized medical care tailored to each individual patient by leveraging the total support of our partnerships with various medical institutions within the Midtown Clinic Group, as well as the expertise of the Resorttrust Group, which operates across a wide range of fields, including the medical sector.

Director Masamori Shimabuku

1990: Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus
August 2015: Joined Center for Advanced Medical Science and Technology Institute
2020: Become Vice Director of the Tokyo Midtown Institute of Advanced Medical Research
2024: Appointed Director of Tokyo Midtown Advanced Medical Research Institute

Access

Midtown Tower 6F, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6206 Japan (In Tokyo Midtown)

Access Map

Directly connected from Exit 8 of Roppongi Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
Directly connected from Exit 8 through underground connection from Exit 4a of Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
7-minute walk from Exit 3 of Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.
8-minute walk from Exit 1 of Roppongi 1-chome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line.

For Inquiries

If you have questions or seek information about our treatment, please contact us at the email address listed below. (In Japanese or English only)
E-mail: cell.care@tokyomidtown-mc.jp

Important Instructions for Your Visit

When visiting our facility, please be sure to arrange a medical interpreter who can speak Japanese. We also ask patient to bring a referral letter from the doctor that include the details of current and past treatments and examinations. If the documents are written in a language other than Japanese or English, please ask the doctor to create them in an acceptable language or use a medical translation service. Please note that we will not accept materials translated by patients, their family members, or other unlicensed personnel.