After surgery for mid-stage esophageal cancer, are there other options besides chemotherapy and radiotherapy?

1. Mr. Zhao's pathological stage is ⅡB, with lymph node metastasis already present. In this case, the recurrence probability of simple surgical resection is extremely high. Therefore, adjuvant therapy should be actively pursued after surgery to further eliminate residual tumor cells and achieve the goal of controlling tumor recurrence.

2. Multiple studies suggest that postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can improve the prognosis of patients with positive lymph nodes after undergoing simple surgery, and the efficacy of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy is superior to that of radiotherapy alone. Currently, adjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer surgery mainly employs chemotherapy. However, for patients with esophageal cancer, chemotherapy has a low response rate and poor therapeutic effect, with an objective response rate of only 6%-8%. It can only exert a killing and inhibitory effect on tumor cells in the short term and is associated with drug resistance. Additionally, chemotherapy has significant side effects, causing severe damage to the immune system and hematopoietic system, and cannot achieve long-term efficacy. Therefore, it is not an ideal adjuvant therapy for postoperative patients.

           

           

# 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 the dual ability to recognize tumor cells non-specifically and specifically, 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 defeat numerous tumor cells that may remain undetected in the body. Additionally, research has found that vNKT cells exhibit dual anti-tumor effects. They not only directly kill cancer cells but also regulate the immune microenvironment within tumor tissues, killing inhibitory immune cells such as MDSCs, breaking tumor immune evasion, rebuilding the normal immune system, and further preventing recurrence and metastasis.            

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

Professor Zhang provided Mr. Zhao and his family with a detailed introduction to the vNKT treatment technology and the treatment outcomes of previous cases, and answered Mr. Zhao's questions in detail. After thorough communication, Mr. Zhao and his family unanimously recognized the "strategic" thinking and "tactical" planning of Lehe team regarding tumor treatment, and began vNKT cell therapy on March 7, 2022. The first-stage treatment plan: 1 course/month, adjusted to 1 course/2 months in July 2023, and currently 16 courses have been completed (as of October 2024). Currently, the patient's condition is stable with no signs of recurrence or metastasis, and the patient is in good spirits, with good appetite and sleep, and a good quality of life.

03                

                 

                 

Imaging changes 

Imaging  changes                

Imaging Findings: In January 2022, a soft tissue shadow was observed in the main pulmonary artery window, which was considered to be a lymph node. By June 2022, the size of the shadow showed no significant change upon follow-up examination. In March 2023, no obvious sign was observed during the follow-up examination. In October 2023, the size of the soft tissue shadow was approximately 10mm. In June 2024, upon follow-up examination, no significant change was observed compared to previous findings, suggesting postoperative changes.        

       

       

     

04            

           

           

Conclusion and Comments

Conclusion and Commentary

     

Postoperative recurrence is the most concerning issue for all malignant tumor patients who have undergone surgical treatment, and it is also the greatest obstacle to achieving tumor cure. All tumor surgeries carry a certain degree of recurrence risk, especially for tumors that are discovered at a late stage, are large, or have a high degree of malignancy. Mr. Zhao's postoperative pathology indicated lymph node metastasis, which significantly increases the risk of postoperative recurrence. According to traditional treatment protocols, he should undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery. However, after learning about the limitations and harmful effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the body, Mr. Zhao rejected this treatment approach.

After scientific analysis and comparison, he ultimately chose vNKT cell therapy. He has been in stable condition for 3 years since the treatment, achieving ideal therapeutic effects. In this process, vNKT cell immunotherapy played an indispensable role in reducing the risk of recurrence and metastasis, providing patients with the possibility of achieving long-term tumor stability or even cure.

     

     

         

Zhang Minghui  Founder of Lehe New Medicine and PhD in Immunology from Tsinghua University School of Medicine

Since the discovery of vNKT cells in 2002, Professor Zhang Minghui's research team has embarked on a research journey spanning 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 immense 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 basically controlled but not cured through conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy; and patients who continue to have high carcinogenic factors. If these patients do not receive effective follow-up treatment after traditional anti-tumor therapy, recurrence, metastasis, or re-emergence of tumors will be highly probable. In this case, vNKT cell therapy is an ideal follow-up treatment method that can significantly improve the patient's prognosis.            

     

     

       

Written by: Liu Peng

Reviewed by: Qiao Jiacheng, Wang Ying, Gao Chen        

Edited/typeset by Zhang Jiao

Welfare            

Benefits for Liver Cancer Patients

       

             

Benefit 1              

Clinical study recruitment for patients with advanced liver cancer             

Primary liver cancer is currently the fourth most common malignant tumor and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in China, posing a serious threat to the lives and health of our people. Due to the insidious onset of liver cancer, less than 30% of patients are suitable for radical treatment at the time of initial diagnosis. Systemic anti-tumor therapy plays an important role in the treatment of advanced liver cancer. Immunotherapy, represented by targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors, plays a significant role in the treatment of advanced liver cancer. However, when patients progress after receiving second-line treatment, there is a lack of corresponding guidelines or consensus for medication or treatment guidance, leading clinicians and patients into a difficult situation regarding medication use.

    

Immunotherapy for malignant tumors, besides immune checkpoint inhibitors, also includes active immunotherapy that activates the body's own immune function. Among them, NKT cells are of particular interest due to their characteristics of both NK cells and T cells. Activated vNKT cells (variant NKT) can not only directly kill tumor cells but also kill myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), thus potentially offering better tumor treatment effects.        

    

Immunotherapy targeting vNKT immune cells for hepatocellular carcinoma brings new hope to patients with advanced liver cancer who have progressed after second-line treatment. To this end, Professor Zhang Minghui's Lehe New Medical Research Team at Tsinghua University and Shanghai East Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital have jointly launched a clinical research recruitment program for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, so that more patients who meet the clinical research criteria can benefit!        

       

How to participate?        

    

If you are a patient with liver cancer or a family member, you can contact our assistant to provide your patient's medical records. After a one-on-one assessment of the condition by a professional medical team, you can apply to participate in clinical research. For details, please scan the QR code to inquire

         

           

Lian

is a

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Scan QR code

Communicate with Professor Zhang Minghui's team

       

       

       

               

Benefit 2              

Liver Cancer Patient Exchange Group             

Professor Zhang Minghui from Tsinghua University has always harbored the great aspiration of "a world without diseases" and is committed to providing a patient-centered platform for patients to communicate and help each other. Whether you have just been diagnosed, are troubled by side effects, don't know how to choose a treatment plan, want to share experiences and insights, or just pour out your heart, you are welcome here!

       

In the group, there are professional experts giving lectures and enthusiastic group members for exchanges. You also have the opportunity to apply for clinical research enrollment. Join the group and enjoy a happy and healthy life!        

       

Want to know more about comprehensive treatment of liver cancer suggestions

Welcome to the Lehe New Medical Liver Cancer Exchange Group

       

   

   

   

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Reposting is a driving force, sharing is a virtue