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Cancer screening at Forest of Regeneration Clinic Roppongi
Features: In response to requests for comprehensive cancer screening for people who have tested positive for amino index, nematode cancer N-NOSE*, or miSignal*, those who are young but have a family history of cancer, and those who are nearing or reaching the age of cancer, we have created the Saisei no Mori Whole Body Cancer Screening Course, which combines cancer gene testing, MRI testing using the DWIBS method, and CT testing.
DWIBS method
The DWIBS method is a new testing method developed by a Japanese doctor in 2004 as MRI became more sophisticated. Generally, cancer cells have a high cell density, and the movement between cells is slow, which is used to detect and analyze the movement using MRI to diagnose cancer. PET-CT detects and diagnoses cancer by utilizing the fact that cancer cells have a higher sugar metabolism than normal cells, so the mechanism is different from the DWIBS method.
Comparison of DWIBS method and PET-CT
| Comparison items | PET-CT | DWIBS |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary restrictions before testing | Fast from approximately 4 to 5 hours before the test time. Do not drink sugary drinks such as juice or milk, or alcohol. | Nothing in particular |
| injection | Administer test drug FDG (radioactive substance) | Nothing |
| medical exposure | Yes (double exposure to X-rays and FDG, although the amount is not enough to cause concerns about side effects) | Nothing |
| Shooting time | Around 30 minutes | Around 30 minutes |
| resting time | Before the test: About 1 hour for the test drug to spread throughout the body / After the test: About 30 minutes to 1 hour to attenuate the radioactive material (about 3 hours in total) | Nothing |
| Precautions for medical examination | Those who are pregnant or have kidney disease are not allowed to visit the clinic. Consultation is required if you have high blood sugar levels or are undergoing diabetes treatment (test results may not be accurate) | Patients with metal plates in their body, pacemaker users, tattoos, etc. cannot be examined. |
| Time required from reception to completion | 2-3 hours | 1-1.5 hours |
| weak points | stomach, urinary system, etc. | Stomach, esophagus, large intestine, thyroid, lungs, etc. * |
Cancer gene testing(CanTect)
CanTect analyzes the current status of cancer-related genes, quantifies the risk of cancer, and can be used to prevent cancer, confirm the effectiveness of cancer treatment, and prevent recurrence.
Analysis of cancer gene expression
We will select 47 genes that are highly associated with cancer development and measure their messenger RNA levels. At present, it only evaluates the susceptibility to cancer, and it seems difficult to identify individual cancers.
Free DNA concentration
Cell death occurs frequently in cancer tissues even without any treatment, and a large amount of DNA from dead cells flows into the bloodstream, resulting in an increase in the concentration of free DNA compared to healthy individuals. Therefore, higher concentrations increase the risk of cancer development.
Mutation analysis
DNA constantly mutates due to external stimuli (ultraviolet rays, chemicals, active oxygen, etc.), but if a mutation is found in the DNA of a tumor suppressor gene, the DNA repair mechanism and immunity weaken, and the mutation occurs. Genes are not removed, which promotes the development and proliferation of cancer cells.
Methylation analysis
When a phenomenon called methylation occurs in a tumor suppressor gene, which turns off its function, it becomes impossible to suppress cancer development. If two or more methylated tumor suppressor genes are present, cancer is suspected.
Based on these results, we will promote screening of organs that are susceptible to cancer. For patients diagnosed with C or D, we provide lifestyle guidance centered on diet to prevent the onset or progression of cancer, as well as recurrence after cancer treatment.
Our clinic uses MySignal using microRNA and N-NOSE from nematodes as a means of early detection of cancer risk. They are used differently depending on the patient’s purpose. Let’s explain the differences between these tests.
N-NOSE
The olfactory receptor mechanism of C. elegans is similar to that of mammals, and the number of receptors is approximately 1,200, three times greater than that of humans. The identity of the cancer-specific odor that C. elegans responds to is currently under analysis and has not yet been elucidated, but they are focusing on the fact that volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are part of the metabolome of cancer cells, appear in the exhaled breath and urine of cancer patients. There are still few studies in urine, and 2-Pentanone is only known for lung cancer. This test cannot identify the type of cancer, and there are 23 types (oral cavity cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine body cancer). Cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, skin cancer, and blood cancer) have been shown to respond to common odors. If we could identify the VOCs emitted by each cancer, it would become possible to diagnose cancer and increase accuracy. It has been shown to have a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 90.2%.
miSignal®
miSignal®, a next-generation cancer risk test that can detect cancer early and with high accuracy using a urine test, is a test that extracts microRNA from urine and examines cancer risk. This highly accurate cancer screening test using urine, developed through joint research with about 20 university hospitals and cancer research centers nationwide, can determine the risk of up to ten types of cancer(esophagus, breast, lung, stomach, colon and rectum, bladder, pancreas, kidney, prostate and ovary) at once. With existing tests, some tumors cannot be detected until the size and stage of the tumor has progressed, but a new technology has been developed to capture microRNAs in urine. Previously, only 200 to 300 types of microRNAs were discovered, but now more than 1,000 types have been discovered, making it possible to analyze cancer-specific microRNAs in detail. “miSignal®” has the potential for early detection of cancer by using AI to analyze microRNA obtained from urine.
Both sensitivity and specificity have been shown to be 92.9%.
The sensitivity and specificity of cancer diagnosis using conventional tumor markers is said to be approximately 30-80%, but the results are even worse for early-stage cancers, so the above two types of tests are thought to be an opportunity for early detection of cancer. As a guideline for which test to choose, N-NOSE is recommended for those who have no particular cancer to worry about, but would like to learn about a wide range of cancer risks and take countermeasures, and miSignal® is recommended for those who want to take cancer countermeasures that suit their individual constitution (for example, Helicobacter pylori infection, obesity, diabetes, etc.).
