Introducing the Specialized Osaki Method for Generating Higher-Than-Normal Levels of Highly Active NK Cells

Today, most people have likely heard of NK cells, which are the body’s “natural patrol unit” or “natural killer,” responsible for eliminating virus-infected cells and cancerous cells.

The Core Mechanisms of NK Cell Function

1) Direct destruction of abnormal or foreign cells that enter the body.

2) The cells function by releasing proteins into the bloodstream, known as interferon-gamma and cytokines, that destroy abnormal or foreign cells and also act as signaling messengers that recruit other immune cells to assist NK cells in eliminating abnormal cells or inhibiting tumor growth.

As mentioned, the human body contains approximately 2–5 billion NK cells, comprising around 5% of circulating lymphocytes. However, NK cell numbers and activity may decrease as the body weakens, which is most commonly due to aging. Research indicates that NK cell activity peaks in early adulthood (around age 20) and gradually declines with increasing age. This decline has been associated with a higher risk of cancer development. In addition to aging, lifestyle factors may further reduce NK cell activity, including Chronic stress, Deficiency in essential vitamins, low protein intake, Inadequate sleep, Excessive alcohol consumption, and Frequent smoking Individuals who experience frequent infections such as herpes simplex, shingles, hepatitis, or recurrent colds compared with previous years may be showing signs of weakened immunity or reduced NK cell function.

With advancements in biotechnology, it is now possible to assess NK cell activity through a simple blood test. This test requires only 1 mL of blood, which is sent to a laboratory for evaluation of the NK cell response to abnormal or foreign targets. The testing process takes approximately 72 hours. The results help physicians assess immune function and evaluate potential risks associated with disease and cancer development.

What Should You Do If Your NK Cell Levels Are Low?

1) Increase NK cells naturally. This approach may not yield clear results depending on each individual's physical condition and immune response.

2) Use laboratory-based NK cell expansion technology.

Highly Active NK Cell Therapy helps enhance your immune system to a healthier level. It is considered a comprehensive approach to restoring weakened immunity caused by illness, aging, or chronic stress.

Activated NK cells are reinfused into your immune system to help reduce the number of mutated cells in the body and inhibit cancer growth. In addition, this therapy may help strengthen the body after damage from cancer treatments such as radiation therapy by improving overall immune function.

The Osaki Method was developed by Junichi Masuyama, M.D., Ph.D., an immunologist, in collaboration with his team at the New City Osaki Clinic in Tokyo, Japan. The research was published in the Cytotherapy Journal (2016). This proprietary technique, developed in Japan and transferred, has demonstrated outstanding effectiveness in expanding Natural Killer (NK) cells and enhancing their functional activity. Using just 20 mL of blood, NK cells cultured for 14–18 days not only show significantly increased cell numbers but also enhanced functional capacity. Research findings suggest that the expanded NK cells can be used effectively and safely in cancer patients.

The study was conducted with approval from the Animal Ethics Review Board of Jichi Medical University and in accordance with the guidelines of the National Society for Medical Research. Clinical applications involving NK cell therapy have been implemented through New City Osaki Clinic. Both healthy volunteers and cancer patients participating in the studies provided informed consent in accordance with established standards.

The research demonstrated statistically significant increases in immune activation markers, particularly the activating receptor NKG2D, which enhances NK cells' ability to detect cancer cells and viral infections.

The following section explains the cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo, as presented in the research data and illustrated in the graphs below.

Figure A found that NK cells that underwent the specialized expansion process (Expanded NK Cells) exhibited greater cytotoxic activity compared to non-expanded (Resting NK Cells).At the same time, Figure B shows that Expanded NK Cells significantly reduced cancer cell proliferation when tested against pancreatic carcinoma cells.Junket lymphoid cells were used as a negative control.

The expansion technique allows NK cells to increase up to 1,500-fold from an initial 20 mL blood sample. NK cells begin to proliferate effectively around Day 7 and continue expanding through Day 20.

After 14 days of culture, NK cells derived from just 20 mL of blood demonstrated Increased production of IFN gamma (IFN-γ) and cytotoxic activity, or the ability to release substances toxic to target cells, both in vitro and in vivo. This enhanced functional activity contributes to greater efficiency in destroying cancer cells.

This method enables large-scale NK cell expansion. Using approximately 50 cc of a patient's own blood, Activated NK Cells can be expanded to tens of billions of cells.

A reported case under the Osaki Method involved a 56-year-old patient with advanced distal pancreatic cancer. After receiving NK cell therapy, tumor markers (CEA and CA19-9) decreased rapidly. In addition, NK cell counts, NKG2D+ T cells, and NK cell functional activity increased significantly.

The Osaki Method is considered a safe approach and has been widely used among cancer patients in Japan. It is a standardized technique for evaluating and enhancing NK cell performance.

In Thailand, MEDEZE NK's high-quality laboratory is currently the only authorized facility under MEDEZE GROUP's management to implement this NK cell expansion technique. Additionally, MEDEZE GROUP collaborates with Junichi Masuyama, M.D., Ph.D., the developer of Highly Active NK Cell Therapy, who has direct clinical experience in treating cancer patients