The treatment uses blood cells linked to the immune system response. The method is studied by researchers around the world as a promising therapy with a long-term efficacy and reduced toxicity.

The blood cells are processed to better activate natural killer cells before being infused back into cancer patients. In mouse experiments, activated natural killer cells successfully triggered prolonged responses of other immune cell types to attack tumors with a single infusion, according to the hospital, state-run research institute Riken and pharmaceutical firm Ambicion Co.

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Researchers at the hospital expect the treatment has potential to treat a variety of cancers, aiming to complete evaluation of its safety by the end of 2019, determine which cancers can be treated and gain approval in Japan by the end of March 2028.

The early-stage clinical trial will be conducted on a small number of patients suffering from progressive or recurring cancers, other than blood cancer, for which there is no other treatment option or no standard therapy.

Ambicion, a Tokyo-based biopharmaceutical venture firm, will prepare cells for infusion.

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