Treating Cancer with Light: What Is Photo-Immunotherapy (Hikari) and Where Is It Applied?
A light-sensitive drug binds to the tumor cell, and light deactivates only those cells. Applicable in more than 20 cancer types, this method is in daily practice in Japan.
Photo-immunotherapy (light-based cancer treatment) is a two-stage targeted method: first, a light-sensitive drug that binds to tumor cells is given intravenously; then a special light is applied only to the tumor area. The light activates the drug and only the tumor cells bound by the drug are deactivated — healthy tissue is preserved.
In which cancers is it used? It can be applied in more than 20 cancer types including head & neck, skin, breast, lung, liver and lymph nodes. It is particularly effective in superficial tumors or those reachable by light.
Its advantages: the procedure requires no surgical incision, is outpatient for most patients, does not suppress the immune system and can be repeated when needed. Hikari Clinic (Tokyo) in Japan is among the centers using this technology in daily clinical practice.
To find out whether your tumor is suitable for photo-immunotherapy, you can upload your reports via our patient panel; the Japanese expert board evaluates them within 5 business days.