Six years after breast cancer surgery, the patient developed lung cancer. How can the predisposition to cancer be improved?

             

             

# vNKT cell immunotherapy              

NKT cells (Natural killer T cells), are a special T cell subset with both T cell receptor (TCR) and NK cell receptor on their surface. They possess important characteristics of both NK cells and T cells, with dual abilities of non-specific and specific recognition of tumor cells, and can rapidly kill tumor cells. Among the NKT cell subsets, there is a larger and more potent special type of soldier discovered by the experimental team led by Professor Zhang Minghui of Tsinghua University, namely vNKT (Variant Natural Killer T) cells.

The population of vNKT cells in the body is very small and they are not easily activated. However, once activated, they can single-handedly eliminate those tumor cells that may remain undetected in the body. Additionally, research has also found that vNKT cells have a dual anti-tumor effect. They can not only directly kill cancer cells but also regulate the immune microenvironment within tumor tissues, kill inhibitory immune cells (MDSCs), break the tumor's immune escape, rebuild the normal immune system, and further prevent recurrence and metastasis.              

Experimental conditions: In the presence of vNKT cells, after 16 hours, nearly all B16 tumor cells were killed!

       

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Imaging changes 

Imaging  changes              

       

    

Ms. Ren underwent regular chest CT scans after surgery to assess disease progression. Multiple chest CT scans from April 2021 to October 2022 showed a missing left breast area due to surgery, with a streak shadow in the lingular segment of the left upper lobe, which was considered a postoperative change; multiple solid nodules in both lungs, with some nodules showing progressive shrinkage. The follow-up results in January 2023 and August 2023 showed that,The pulmonary nodules continued to shrink, with no new tumor lesions or metastasis observed. This indicates that vNKT cell immunotherapy has achieved significant results in controlling tumor recurrence and metastasis.

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Tumor marker changes 

Tumor markers

         

         

During the treatment process, Ms. Ren underwent regular monitoring of tumor markers (CEA, CA199). The follow-up results from January 25, 2021, to April 6, 2023, showed that the tumor markers remained within the normal range without significant elevation, further demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment.

vNKT cell immunotherapy has not only made significant progress in controlling tumor growth but also helped patients restore the function of their immune system, reducing the immune system damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and providing patients with new treatment options. As a novel immunotherapy method, vNKT cell immunotherapy has demonstrated great potential in preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis.

Facing the challenge of new-onset lung cancer after breast cancer treatment, current traditional treatment methods typically involve re-operation, local minimally invasive therapy, and combined systemic drug therapy, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Although these treatments can effectively inhibit tumor cell growth in the short term, drug resistance is inevitable, making long-term effective control unachievable. Additionally, the side effects during treatment are relatively significant, potentially causing damage to the immune system, hematopoietic system, and other organs. Therefore, they are not ideal adjuvant therapy options after surgery.

vNKT cell therapy, on the other hand, activates immune cells to eliminate residual or newly emerging tumor cells and helps rebuild the immune microenvironment, with almost no side effects. After surgical treatment, the tumor burden has been significantly reduced, making vNKT cell therapy the optimal intervention opportunity.

After receiving vNKT cell therapy, Ms. Ren's condition was stably controlled, highlighting the potential of vNKT cell therapy in the treatment of new-onset lung cancer after breast cancer. Her case suggests that a comprehensive treatment strategy combining surgery and vNKT cell immunotherapy may provide patients with more effective long-term disease control, even achieving cure.

         

Zhang Minghui  Founder of Lehe New Medicine and Ph.D. in Immunology from Tsinghua University School of Medicine            

Since the discovery of vNKT cells in 2002, Professor Zhang Minghui's research team has been engaged in research for over 20 years, accumulating treatment experience from over 700 cases of solid tumors, covering almost all common solid tumors. The research results fully demonstrate the great value of vNKT in the treatment of solid tumors.

         

           

It is suitable for postoperative patients with high malignant potential or a risk of recurrence; patients whose tumors have been largely controlled but not cured through conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy; patients who continue to have high carcinogenic factors; and patients who are intolerant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If these patients do not receive effective follow-up treatment after traditional anti-tumor therapy, the probability of tumor recurrence, metastasis, or reoccurrence will be high. In this case, vNKT cell therapy is an ideal follow-up treatment method that can significantly improve the prognosis of patients.