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CCR-developed cancer therapy shrinks tumors and boosts immune response

Graphic depiction of near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) targeted against ICAM-1 markers (small, blue, Y-shaped), causing cancer cell death and suppressed tumor growth (pink cluster, center).

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) can be targeted against ICAM-1 markers (small, blue, Y-shaped), causing cancer cell death and suppressed tumor growth (pink cluster, center). Although immune cells in the area are impacted (blue, green, yellow objects), this study finds that immune cells located outside the NIR light area will come in and enhance host immunity over time.

New research from CCR scientists showcased the effectiveness of near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), against ICAM-1, a molecule commonly found on the surface of many types of cancer cells. The team, led by Hisataka Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Molecular Imaging Branch, showed that the treatment not only reduced tumor size, but also preserved and boosted immune response in the body. Their discovery was published in Cancer Letters on July 7, 2025.

NIR-PIT is a targeted cancer therapy developed by Dr. Kobayashi’s lab in 2011, and it has since been patented and licensed to industry. It can be designed to attack only the cancer cells that display specific markers on their surface, leaving healthy cells unharmed. The therapy is approved in Japan for the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer by targeting the EGFR protein.

ICAM-1 is a molecule found on the surface of many types of cancer cells, including breast cancer, multiple myeloma and head and neck cancer. However, ICAM-1 can also be found on some immune cells. The study showed that although the targeted NIR-PIT therapy eliminated both cancer cells and immune cells displaying the ICAM-1 marker, the tumors shrank, and an accumulation of new immune cells appeared in the tumor area a few days after treatment. The results suggest that the therapy effectively stimulated an immune response initiated by immune cells located outside of the treatment area.

NIR-PIT-targeting EGFR has been used to treat over 600 patients with recurrent head and neck cancer in Japan. Because antibodies against ICAM-1 are already available for clinical use, the NIR-PIT therapy targeting ICAM-1 could be easily implemented. This approach could benefit many cancer patients by both eliminating tumors and strengthening the immune system.

Citation: Takao S., et al. Cancer Lett. 2025 Jul 7;630:217906. Epub ahead of print.
Writeup information provided by: Hisataka Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D.

Posted on Fri, 07/25/2025