Japan Announces Three New Cancer Treatment Technologies

As one of the world’s most aged societies, Japan faces a significant threat to public health from cancer. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, approximately 993,469 new cancer patients were diagnosed in 2023, and cancer has been the leading cause of death in Japan for over 40 consecutive years. Two-thirds of Japanese men and one-half of women will develop cancer in their lifetime. Despite the high incidence rate, Japan boasts a relatively high cancer survival rate internationally. For example, the 5-year survival rate for cancer patients diagnosed in 2016 was as high as 92.1% for prostate cancer, 67.8% for colorectal cancer, 64% for stomach cancer, 37.7% for lung cancer, and only 11.8% for pancreatic cancer. Overall, Japan’s 5-year cancer survival rate exceeds 60%, with some types approaching 90%. This success is attributed not only to advanced medical technology but also to a systematic prevention, early detection, and data-driven healthcare system.

Japan has consistently been at the forefront of cancer treatment globally, achieving numerous breakthroughs in recent years through immunotherapy, stem cell technology, and molecular biology research. These technologies have not only improved treatment outcomes but also reduced side effects, showing significant progress, particularly in refractory cancers such as esophageal, head and neck, and pancreatic cancers.

Firstly, regarding esophageal cancer treatment, Kyoto University and other institutions announced the results of a clinical trial on January 9th. This trial, targeting patients with squamous cell carcinoma (accounting for over 90% of esophageal cancers in Japan), combined anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and the cancer immunotherapy drug “Opdivo.” In 41 patients, 73% (30 people) experienced complete cancer remission, with a one-year survival rate as high as 93%.

Traditionally, esophageal cancer, located near the heart and lungs, presents significant surgical challenges and a high risk of recurrence. This new therapy avoids surgery, relying solely on drugs and radiation to activate the immune system to attack cancer cells. Side effects, such as pneumonia, occur at a rate of only 5%, far lower than traditional methods. The research team stated that by analyzing the gene activity of cancer cells, they can further identify patients suitable for this therapy, with long-term observation expected to be completed in three years. This technology has the potential to become the standard treatment for esophageal cancer in Asians, as Asians account for 80% of esophageal cancer patients worldwide, and alcohol and tobacco are the main contributing factors.

Secondly, Chiba University Hospital has achieved the first successful application of iPS cell (induced pluripotent stem cell) technology in the treatment of head and neck cancer in Japan. On January 16, the hospital announced a clinical trial using “natural killer T cells” (NKT cells) derived from iPS cells. In 10 patients aged 40-70, after 1-3 treatments, the tumors shrank by approximately 10% in 2 of the 8 patients, and tumor growth was controlled to within 20% in the other 3.

This therapy involves creating iPS cells from NKT cells in healthy individuals, inducing them into NKT cells, and then proliferating them before administering them to patients. Head and neck cancers include tumors of the neck, mouth, and throat. Traditional treatments rely on surgery or chemotherapy, but these have significant side effects. This technology utilizes the regenerative capacity of iPS cells to enhance the patient’s immune system, directly attacking cancer cells. It boasts high safety and no serious adverse reactions. Researchers stated that this is the first time iPS cell-derived immune cells have shown tumor-suppressive effects, and they plan to commercialize it within 10 years. This not only brings hope to patients with head and neck cancer but may also be extended to other cancer types.

Finally, in the field of pancreatic cancer, a research team at Hirosaki University in Aomori Prefecture revealed on January 12th the molecular mechanism by which long-term diabetes exacerbates pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma accounts for the majority of pancreatic cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of only about 10%, making it extremely difficult to treat. This study analyzed pancreatic tissue from 117 surgical patients and found that in patients with long-term diabetes (more than 3 years), the function of the “MEG3” gene was weakened, leading to an increase in the “F11R” protein, promoting cancer cell spread and recurrence. MEG3 is a gene that inhibits cancer progression; its function is not congenitally damaged but rather acquired. This discovery elucidates the link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer progression, paving the way for the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods. The research findings, published in the American and Canadian Society of Pathology, highlight the team’s potential to identify high-risk patients and design targeted drugs against F11R. In the future, regulating these molecules may improve pancreatic cancer survival rates.

These cutting-edge technologies reflect a trend in Japanese cancer treatment: a shift from traditional surgery to precision medicine, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. Collaboration between government and university institutions is accelerating clinical applications, propelling cancer from an “incurable disease” to a “manageable chronic disease.”