JP2010227313A - Cancer cell removing system and cancer cell removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cancer cell removing system and a cancer cell removing device used for the system which can reliably remove cancer cells out of body fluid on the basis of information relative to the cancer cells included in the body fluid taken out of a patient. <P>SOLUTION: The cancer cell removing system includes: the cancer cell removing device which removes the cancer cells from the body fluid taken out of the patent; a cancer cell information detection device which detects information relative to the cancer cells in the body fluid before it is treated by the cancer cell removing device and/or after it is treated by the cancer cell removing device; and a control part which creates information relative to the removal of the cancer cells on the basis of the information relative to the cancer cells received from the cancer cell information detection device and transmits the information relative to the removal of the cancer cells to the cancer cell removing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cancer cell removal system and a cancer cell removal apparatus.

  Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death in countries around the world. Most cancer deaths are due to recurrence due to cancer metastasis. Cancer metastasis from the primary lesion is established by cancer cells colonizing the blood vessel wall of another tissue via blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and then infiltrating to form a new micrometastatic lesion.

  Currently, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are widely used as a method for preventing cancer metastasis (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-310786), but the effect may be insufficient.

JP 2008-310786 A

  The present invention provides a cancer cell removal system and a cancer cell removal apparatus that can effectively remove cancer cells from a body fluid collected from a patient.

A cancer cell removal system according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided.
A cancer cell removal device for removing cancer cells from body fluids collected from a patient;
A cancer cell information detection device for detecting information on cancer cells in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device and / or after being processed by the cancer cell removal device;
A control unit that creates information relating to removal of cancer cells based on information relating to the cancer cells received from the cancer cell information detection device, and transmits information relating to removal of the cancer cells to the cancer cell removal device When,
including.

In this case, the cancer cell removal system includes a plurality of the cancer cell removal device and the cancer cell information detection device,
The plurality of cancer cell removal devices include:
A first cancer cell removal device;
A second cancer cell removal device;
Including
The body fluid processed by the first cancer cell removal apparatus is collected from a site different from the body fluid processed by the second cancer cell removal apparatus.

A cancer cell removal device according to another aspect of the present invention is provided.
A cancer cell removal device used in the cancer cell removal system,
A filtration unit for removing cancer cells contained in body fluid by filtration;
An antibody that specifically binds to a cancer cell is immobilized, and a capture unit that captures the cancer cell by binding the cancer cell and the antibody contained in a body fluid,
An apoptosis-inducing factor of a cancer cell is immobilized, and a necrosis-inducing part that makes the cancer cell necrotic by contacting the apoptosis-inducing factor with a cancer cell contained in a body fluid,
Including at least one selected from.

  According to the cancer cell removal system, the control unit creates information on removal of cancer cells based on the information on the cancer cells received from the cancer cell information detection device, and When the cancer cell information detection device detects information about cancer cells in a body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device by transmitting information on removal to the cancer cell removal device, Since it can be determined whether the cancer cell removal device needs to remove the cancer cell, in the cancer cell removal device, the cancer cell contained in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device. Cancer cells can be removed according to the type and / or number. In addition, when the cancer cell information detection device detects information on cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the cancer cell removal device, whether the cancer cells have been removed by the cancer cell removal device. Since it can be confirmed, the detection performance of the cancer cell of the said cancer cell removal apparatus can be confirmed.

The figure which shows typically the cancer cell removal system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows typically the structure of the cancer cell removal apparatus shown by FIG. The figure explaining the principle of the cancer cell removal by the cancer cell removal apparatus shown by FIG. The figure explaining the usage method of the cancer cell removal apparatus shown by FIG. The figure which shows typically the cancer cell removal system which concerns on other one Embodiment of this invention.

  Below, the cancer cell removal system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the cancer cell removal apparatus used with this system are demonstrated concretely.

1. 1. First embodiment 1.1. Configuration of Cancer Cell Removal System FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a cancer cell removal system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a cancer cell removal system 100 according to this embodiment includes a cancer cell removal apparatus 10 and a cancer cell information detection apparatus 20 that removes cancer cells from a body fluid collected from a patient 30. , 22 and a control unit 27. The cancer cell removal system 100 further includes a tube 21 for transferring bodily fluid collected from the patient 30, a pump 23 that is driven to transfer bodily fluid in the tube 21, and the pressure of the bodily fluid in the tube 21. Pressure monitoring devices 25 and 26 for monitoring the above are provided. The cancer cell removing device 10, the pump 23, and the pressure monitoring devices 25 and 26 are connected via a pipe 21. In the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, an example in which one cancer cell removal device 10 is provided has been described. However, like the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the second embodiment to be described later. In addition, a plurality of cancer cell removing devices 10 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, both ends A and C of the tube 21 are attached to the patient 30, and body fluid is collected from the patient 30 by driving the pump 23, and then from the end (collecting part) A. It is introduced into the cancer cell removing device 10 via the tube 21, and the cancer cells in the body fluid are removed by the cancer cell removing device 10. The body fluid after removal of the cancer cells is returned to the body of the patient 30 from the end portion (return portion) C through the tube 21 by driving the pump 23. For example, in the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, body fluid can be collected from the body of the patient 30 using a technique similar to hemodialysis, and the treated body fluid can be returned to the body of the patient 30. When the body fluid is blood, an anticoagulant may be introduced into the tube 21 from the anticoagulant supply unit 24 in order to prevent the blood from coagulating in the tube 21.

  In the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22, information on cancer cells in body fluids collected from the patient 30 (for example, whether or not cancer cells are detected and cancer cells are detected, cancer is detected. Cell type and / or number). The cancer cell information detection device 20 is arranged between the liquid collection part A of the patient 30 and the cancer cell removal device 10, and stores information about cancer cells in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device 10. To detect. Moreover, the cancer cell information detection apparatus 22 is arrange | positioned between the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 and the liquid return part C of the patient 30, and relates to the cancer cell in the body fluid after processing with the cancer cell removal apparatus 10. Detect information.

  In the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the control unit 27 includes a cancer cell removal device 10, cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22, pressure monitoring devices 25 and 26, The pump 23 and the anticoagulant supply unit 24 are electrically or optically connected. The control unit 27 can receive information from each of the electrically connected parts as an electrical signal or an optical signal, and can transmit information to the parts as an electrical signal or an optical signal.

  The control unit 27 receives information about the cancer cells obtained by the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22, creates information about removal of the cancer cells based on the information about the cancer cells, and the cancer cells Information regarding removal of the cancer is transmitted to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10. More specifically, the control unit 27 removes cancer cells based on the reception unit 29a that receives information on cancer cells transmitted from the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22, and information on cancer cells. A removal-related information creation unit 28 that creates information on the transmission and a transmission unit 29b that transmits information on removal of cancer cells to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 can be included. For example, the control unit 27 can be executed on software installed in a computer.

  For example, when the information about cancer cells includes the number of cancer cells, the removal related information creation unit 28 determines whether or not to remove cancer cells in the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 based on the number of cancer cells. Determine. In addition, for example, when the information about the cancer cell includes the type of cancer cell, the cancer cell removal information creation unit 28 uses the cancer cell removal device 10 to remove the cancer cell based on the type of cancer cell. The type of the apparatus main body 11 is determined. Therefore, the information regarding removal of cancer cells includes an instruction as to whether or not to remove cancer cells and an instruction regarding the type of cancer cell removal apparatus main body 11 to be used.

  The cancer cell information detection device 20 detects information related to cancer cells contained in the body fluid before the treatment is performed by the cancer cell removal device 10. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the cancer cell information detection apparatus 20 has a tube 21 before body fluid collected from a patient 30 is introduced into the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 through the tube 21. A part of the body fluid is collected from the information, information on the cancer cells is detected and transmitted to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 receives information about the cancer cells, creates information about the removal of the cancer cells based on the information about the cancer cells, and sends the information about the removal of the cancer cells to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10. Send.

  Here, for example, when the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection device 20 is a predetermined number or more, the control unit 27 instructs to remove the cancer cells and the cancer cell removal device to be used. The type of the main body 11 (information regarding removal of cancer cells) is transmitted to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10. The cancer cell removal device 10 can appropriately remove cancer cells using the designated cell removal device main body 11 based on the information regarding the removal of cancer cells transmitted from the control unit 27. Thereby, the reliability of cancer cell removal can be improved.

  On the other hand, for example, when the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection device 20 is less than a predetermined number, the control unit 27 instructs to not remove the cancer cells (information on removal of cancer cells). ) Is transmitted to the cancer cell removing device 10, and the cancer cell removing device 10 does not remove the cancer cells based on the command.

  In addition, the cancer cell information detection device 22 detects information related to cancer cells contained in the body fluid after being processed by the cancer cell removal device 10. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the cancer cell information detection device 22 collects a part of the body fluid that has been subjected to the removal process of the cancer cells by the cancer cell removal device 10 from the tube 21, Information related to cancer cells is detected and transmitted to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 receives information about the cancer cells, creates information about the removal of the cancer cells based on the information about the cancer cells, and then uses the information about the removal of the cancer cells as a cancer cell removal device. 10 to send.

  Here, for example, when the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection device 22 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control unit 27 indicates that the cancer cells are not removed (information on removal of cancer cells). Is transmitted to the cancer cell removing apparatus 10. In response to this, the cancer cell removing apparatus 10 can stop the removal of the cancer cells. Thereby, since it can be confirmed whether the removal of the cancer cell by the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 is functioning normally, the reliability of cancer cell removal can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cancer cell removal device 10 and the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22 may be used by extracorporeal circulation or may be implanted in the body of the patient 30.

  As the extracorporeal circulation type cancer cell removing device 10, for example, a cancer cell removing device (described later) shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 can be used. Known devices that can be used as the extracorporeal circulation type cancer cell removing device 10 include, for example, JP-T-2008-545372, JP-A-2008-67622, JP-A-2007-222132, JP-A-2006. -94783, JP-A-2008-136475, and JP-A-2006-42474. Furthermore, as the implantable cancer cell removing apparatus 10, for example, an apparatus described in JP-T-2006-506134 can be cited.

  Examples of the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22 include devices using a known technique for measuring the number of cancer cells in a body fluid. For example, by a method of capturing cancer cells using an antibody (US Pat. No. 6,103,479), a method of capturing cancer cells with magnetic beads (Patent No. 3,834,326) Cancer cells can be captured and the number of cancer cells can be measured. Further, the number of cancer cells is measured by a method for optically detecting cancer cells (for example, US Pat. No. 6,821,484, US Pat. No. 6,143,535). Also good. Alternatively, for example, the number of cancer cells may be measured using a circulating tumor cell testing device (Veridex LLC, USA).

  As the pump 23 and the pressure monitoring devices 25 and 26, for example, those used in hemodialysis can be used.

1.2. Configuration of Cancer Cell Removal Device FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the cancer cell removal device 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the principle of removing cancer cells by the cancer cell removing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining how to use the cancer cell removing device 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cancer cell removal device 10 can include a cancer cell removal device main body 11 and a fixing member 13 that fixes the cancer cell removal device main body 11. In this case, the cancer cell removing device main body 11 may be removable from the fixing member 13. That is, the cancer cell removing device 10 may be a cartridge type. Since the cancer cell removing device 10 is a cartridge type, the removed cancer cells can be easily discarded by replacing the cancer cell removing device main body 11. Further, in addition to easy removal of the removed cancer cells from the cancer cell removal device main body 11 for inspection purposes, the cancer cell removal device main body 11 can be replaced with a new one. The removal performance of cancer cells can be maintained.

  Moreover, the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 can include at least one selected from a filtering unit 12, a capturing unit 14, and a necrosis inducing unit 16, as shown in FIG. The filtration unit 12 has a function of removing cancer cells contained in the body fluid by filtration. The capture unit 14 has a function of fixing an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer cell, and capturing the cancer cell by binding the cancer cell and the antibody contained in a body fluid. The necrosis-inducing part 16 has a function of immobilizing cancer cell apoptosis-inducing factor and bringing the cancer cell contained in the body fluid into contact with the apoptosis-inducing factor so as to necrotize the cancer cell.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the filtration unit 12 removes the cancer cells 15 contained in the body fluid by filtration and discharges only other components 17 such as normal cells. The filtration part 12 is a filter which has a hole, for example. Such a filter preferably has, for example, a hole that can pass components other than cancer cells but cannot pass cancer cells.

  The capture unit 14 is, for example, a flow channel that is continuous with the filtration unit 12, and an antibody that specifically binds to cancer cells can be immobilized on the surface of the flow channel. Since the antibody that specifically binds to the cancer cell is immobilized on the surface, the cancer cell is captured on the surface by the binding between the antibody that specifically binds to the cancer cell and the cancer cell. Thus, cancer cells can be removed from the body fluid.

  Examples of antibodies that specifically bind to cancer cells include antibodies against surface antigens of cancer cells. When an antibody against a cancer cell surface antigen is used as an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer cell, the antibody against the cancer cell surface antigen can be selected according to the type of cancer cell to be separated. . For example, antibodies against surface antigens common to epithelial cancers include Ep-CAM antibodies, N-cadherin antibodies, vimentin antibodies and the like, and antibodies against surface antigens specific to breast cancer include HER2 antibodies and the like. Examples of antibodies to surface antigens specific to cancer include NS19-9 antibody, and examples of antibodies to surface antigens specific to prostate cancer include CD49, CD54, and CD59 antibodies. These antibodies can be used in the capture unit 14.

  The necrosis part 16 is a flow path that is continuous with the capture part 14, for example, and an apoptosis-inducing factor can be immobilized on the surface of the flow path. Since the apoptosis-inducing factor is immobilized on the surface, the cancer cell can be necrotized on the surface by contact between the cancer cell and the apoptosis-inducing factor.

  Any apoptosis-inducing factor may be used as long as it has the property of inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. For example, TNF-α, TNF-γ, TRAIL, Fas, lymphotoxin, acyclic retinoid, bikunin, parasporin, mitomycin, Taxol and adiponectin are mentioned.

  For immobilization of the antibody on the surface of the capture part 14 and immobilization of the apoptosis-inducing factor on the surface of the necrosis part 16, a method by physical adsorption or a method by chemical bonding can be used. The method by chemical bonding is useful in that reliable fixation can be achieved. For example, when the surface of the capture part 14 or the necrosis part 16 is made of a material containing a hydroxyl group, the carboxyl group in the antibody is converted into an active ester, and then the hydroxyl group and the active ester group are reacted to form the surface by chemical bonding. The antibody can be immobilized on.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the body fluid collected from the patient 30 passes through the filtration unit 12, the capture unit 14, and the necrosis unit 16, the cancer cells 15 contained in the body fluid are captured at each site. Thereafter, the body fluid from which the cancer cells have been removed is discharged from the cancer cell removal apparatus main body 11 (cancer cell removal apparatus 10). The bodily fluid discharged from the cancer cell removing device 10 is transferred through the tube 21 and returned from the liquid return part C to the body of the patient 30. In the cancer cell removing device 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the filtration unit 12, the capture unit 14, and the necrosis unit 16 are arranged in this order, but the filtration unit 12, the capture unit 14, and the necrosis unit 16. The order of arrangement is not particularly limited, and the filtration unit 12, the capture unit 14, and the necrosis unit 16 may be arranged in parallel, or a plurality of the filtration unit 12, capture unit 14, or necrosis unit 16 may be provided. Good.

  In addition, the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 can include a plurality of cancer cell removal apparatus main bodies 11a, 11b, and 11c as shown in FIG. These cancer cell removing device main bodies 11a, 11b, and 11c may be arranged in series with respect to the tube 21, or may be arranged in parallel. For example, when the number of cancer cells contained in the body fluid is large, a plurality of cancer cell removal device bodies can be arranged in parallel to remove the cancer cells.

  Which of the plurality of cancer cell removal device main bodies 11a, 11b, and 11c is used in the cancer cell removal device 10 is, for example, information on removal of cancer cells transmitted from the control unit 27 (for example, cancer Cell type and / or number). That is, the selection of the cancer cell removal apparatus main body can be performed based on the information regarding the removal of cancer cells sent from the control unit 27.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, based on information on the type of cancer cell detected by the cancer cell information detection device 20, a cancer cell removal device body suitable for the type of cancer cell is selected. Also good. For example, the cancer cell removal device body 11a is for removing breast cancer cells, the cancer cell removal device body 11b is for removing colorectal cancer cells, and the cancer cell removal device body 11c is It can be for removing prostate cancer cells. In this case, for example, when breast cancer cells are detected by the cancer cell information detection device 20, information indicating that the breast cancer cells have been detected (information regarding removal of cancer cells) is controlled from the cancer cell information detection device 20. It is sent to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 via the unit 27. Based on the information information regarding the removal of cancer cells, use of the cancer cell removal device main body 11a is selected in the cancer cell removal device 10, and the removal of cancer cells is performed using the cancer cell removal device main body 11a. Done.

  In the present embodiment, the cancer cell removal device 10 selects the cancer cell removal device main bodies 11a, 11b, and 11c based on the information regarding the removal of the cancer cells transmitted from the control unit 27. However, such selection may be made manually. That is, based on the information regarding the cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22, selection and replacement of appropriate cancer cell removal device bodies 11a, 11b, and 11c may be performed manually.

1.3. Method for Using Cancer Cell Removal System The cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment has a function of selectively separating cancer cells from other components from body fluids. In the present specification, the “cancer cell” means a malignant tumor cell. Examples of the body fluid include blood, lymph fluid, saliva, urine, and tear fluid. The body fluid can be prevented from being metastasized by returning it to 30 bodies after the cancer cells are removed. It is preferably blood or lymph, and it is more preferable that the body fluid is blood in that it can be easily collected from the patient 30 and returned to the patient 30, and cancer cell metastasis can be reliably prevented. . The body fluid collection site is not particularly limited. For example, when the body fluid is blood, blood can be collected from a blood vessel such as an arm, neck, armpit, thigh artery or vein, and when the body fluid is lymph, Lymph fluid can be collected from the blood. Further, as described in JP-A-2-193676 and JP-T-2004-525734, body fluid may be collected by directly inserting a catheter into the liquid collection part of the patient 30.

  The order of cancer metastasis is roughly determined, and usually metastasizes from the lymph nodes around the primary lesion and organs close to the primary lesion to the whole body via body fluids such as blood and lymph. Therefore, it is considered that the number of cancer cells is large in the primary lesion and surrounding tissues, and decreases as the distance from the primary lesion increases. Therefore, it is preferable to remove cancer cells from body fluids collected from the vicinity of the primary lesion.

  Examples of cancer cells to be separated include circulating cancer cells (CTC). After removing CTC from the body fluid collected from the patient 30 using the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, the body fluid is returned to the body of the patient 30 again, thereby effecting the cancer metastasis of the patient 30. Can be suppressed. For example, by selectively removing CTC from the blood, CTC and other components (eg, normal cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, salts, plasma proteins such as albumin, antibodies such as immunoglobulins, blood coagulation factors, etc. Etc.) and only other components can be returned to the body of the patient 30, and damage to the other components can be minimized.

  In addition, removal of cancer cells using the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment may be used in combination with radiation therapy and / or chemotherapy, or used as an alternative to radiation therapy or chemotherapy. You can also. That is, the cancer treatment and / or prevention method according to one embodiment of the present invention uses the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment to remove cancer cells from the body fluid ingested from the patient 30. Returning the body fluid to the body of the patient 30.

  The cancer cell removal system 100 according to this embodiment includes cells other than cancer cells, viruses, bacteria, proteins, low molecular to high molecular compounds, particles, colloids such as allergens such as pollen, poisons, and harmful substances. It can also be used as a system for removing environmental pollutants from liquids. Moreover, you may use the cancer cell removal system 100 which concerns on this embodiment as a system for hemodialysis, blood purification, cell differentiation induction, and gene introduction, for example.

1.4. Operational Effect According to the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 27 has information on removal of cancer cells based on information on cancer cells obtained by the cancer cell information detection devices 20 and 22. And information on the removal of the cancer cells is transmitted to the cancer cell removal apparatus 10. Here, the cancer cell information detection device 20 detects information on the cancer cells in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device 10, so that the cancer cell removal device 10 can remove the cancer cells. Since it can be determined whether or not it is necessary, in the cancer cell removal device 10, the number of cancer cells according to the type and / or number of cancer cells contained in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device 10. Removal can be performed. In addition, the cancer cell information detection device 22 detects information about the cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the cancer cell removal device 10, whereby the cancer cells are removed by the cancer cell removal device 10. Therefore, the cancer cell detection performance of the cancer cell removing apparatus 10 can be confirmed.

  Further, according to the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the present embodiment, the body fluid collected from the patient 30 is introduced into the cancer cell removal apparatus 10 via the tube 21 by the pump 23 and is processed. After being broken, it is returned to the patient 30. For this reason, the burden on the patient 30 is small compared with, for example, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

2. Second Embodiment 2.1. Configuration and Use Method of Cancer Cell Separation System FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cancer cell removal system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, body fluids are collected from a plurality of liquid collection parts A1, A2, B1, and B2 of different patients 30, and cancer cells are removed from the collected body fluids. That is, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cancer cell removal apparatuses 10 and collects body fluids from a plurality of liquid collection units A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the patient 30 and collects them. It has a different configuration from the cancer cell separation device 100 according to the first embodiment in that cancer cells are removed from the body fluids by the cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d. Except for the above points, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment has the same effects as the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the first embodiment. The basic method of using the cancer cell removal system 200 according to this embodiment is also the same as the method of using the cancer cell removal system 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the pump, the pressure monitoring device, and the anticoagulant supply unit are not shown, but the cancer cell removal system 200 according to this embodiment includes the cancer cell removal system shown in FIG. 1. As with 100, a pump, a pressure monitoring device, and an anticoagulant supply are provided.

  The control unit 37 is electrically or optically connected to the cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d, the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d, 22a to 22d, the pressure monitoring device, the pump, and the anticoagulant supply unit. ing. The control unit 37 receives information on cancer cells transmitted from the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d, and information on removal of cancer cells based on information on cancer cells. And a transmission unit 39b that transmits information related to the removal of cancer cells to the cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d. For example, the control unit 37 can be executed on software installed in a computer.

  More specifically, in the receiving unit 39a of the control unit 37, the removal related information creating unit 38 receives information on cancer cells transmitted from the plurality of cancer cell information detecting devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d. The removal related information creation unit 38 compares cancer cell information transmitted from the plurality of cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d, and provides a cancer cell removal device that removes cancer cells. Determine the cancer cell removing device main body 11 to be used. That is, the removal related information creation unit 38 creates a command regarding the necessity of cancer cell removal and the type of cancer cell removal apparatus main body 11 to be used (information regarding removal of cancer cells). The transmission part 39b transmits the information regarding removal of this cancer cell to each cancer cell removal apparatus 10a-10d.

  The cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d (a first cancer cell removal device 10a, a second cancer cell removal device 10b, and a third cancer cell). A removal device 10c, and a fourth cancer cell removal device 10d).

  In addition, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of cancer cell information detection devices (first cancer cell information detection devices 20a and 22a, second cancer cell information detection devices 20b and 22b, 3rd cancer cell information detection apparatus 20c, 22c and 4th cancer cell information detection apparatus 20d, 22d).

  The first cancer cell information detection device 20a detects information on cancer cells in the body fluid before being processed by the first cancer cell removal device 10a, and the first cancer cell information detection device 22a The information regarding the cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the first cancer cell removing device 10a is detected. Similarly, the 2nd cancer cell information detection apparatus 20b detects the information regarding the cancer cell in the bodily fluid before processing with the 2nd cancer cell removal apparatus 10b, and 2nd cancer cell information detection The device 22b detects information regarding the cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the second cancer cell removing device 10b. Similarly, the 3rd cancer cell information detection apparatus 20c detects the information regarding the cancer cell in the bodily fluid before processing with the 3rd cancer cell removal apparatus 10c, and detects 3rd cancer cell information. The device 22c detects information related to cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the third cancer cell removing device 10c. Similarly, the 4th cancer cell information detection apparatus 20d detects the information regarding the cancer cell in the bodily fluid before processing with the 4th cancer cell removal apparatus 10d, and detects 4th cancer cell information. The device 22d detects information regarding the cancer cells in the body fluid after being processed by the fourth cancer cell removing device 10d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the body fluid processed by the first cancer cell removal device 10a, the body fluid processed by the second cancer cell removal device 10b, and the third cancer cell removal device 10c. The body fluid to be treated and the body fluid to be treated by the fourth cancer cell removing device 10d are respectively collected from different parts (collecting parts) A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the patient 30.

  That is, in the present embodiment, body fluid is collected from a plurality of different parts of the patient 30, and information about cancer cells is obtained in the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d for each body fluid. Information about cancer cells is sent to the control unit 37 from each of the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d. The receiving unit 39a of the control unit 37 receives information on the number of cancer cells from the cancer cell information detecting devices 20a to 20d and 22a to 22d, and the removal related information creating unit 38 uses the cancer cell information detecting devices 20a to 20d. , 22a to 22d, information on removal of cancer cells is created based on the information on cancer cells transmitted from 22a to 22d. Next, after information on whether or not cancer cells need to be removed is sent from the transmission unit 39b of the control unit 37 to each of the cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d, an instruction is given that it is necessary to remove the cancer cells. The received cancer cell removal apparatus removes the cancer cells. Thereafter, the body fluid that has been subjected to the cancer cell removal process is returned to the patient 30 from the return part C. It should be noted that the flow rate and pressure of body fluids and the number of liquid collection units can be set as appropriate.

  As described above, in the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, body fluids are collected from a plurality of liquid collection parts A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the patient 30, and the primary lesion is obtained. Cancer cells are removed from the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to 32 and the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts A1 and A2 farther from the primary lesion 32, respectively. The liquid collection parts A1, A2 farther from the primary lesion 32 are, for example, around an organ where a specific type of cancer may metastasize. It is well known that there are organs that can easily metastasize depending on the type of cancer. Therefore, it is preferable to collect a body fluid from around the organ that may metastasize depending on the type of cancer.

  Examples (i) to (iii) of cancer cell removal using the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment are shown below.

  (I) The number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20c and 20d from the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32 is less than a predetermined number, and the primary lesion 32 When the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20a and 20b from the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts A1 and A2 farther from the cancer is less than a predetermined number, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment. Then, it determines with the patient 30 having high possibility of not having cancer. The determination result is an index for diagnosis. That is, based on the determination result, for example, the patient 30 is diagnosed as performing cancer preventive medicine.

  In this case, the receiving unit 39a of the control unit 37 receives information regarding the number of cancer cells from the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d, and the removal related information creating unit 38 of the control unit 37 determines the number of cancer cells. Based on the above, it is determined that the removal of the cancer cell is unnecessary, and a command not to remove the cancer cell (information regarding the removal of the cancer cell) is sent from the transmission unit 39b of the control unit 37 to the cancer cell removal device. 10a to 10d. Thereby, removal of a cancer cell is not performed in cancer cell removal apparatus 10a-10d.

  (Ii) The number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20c and 20d from body fluids collected from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the primary lesion 32 When the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20a and 20b from the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts A1 and A2 farther from the cancer is less than the predetermined number, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment. Then, it is determined that the patient 30 has cancer but no cancer metastasis has occurred. The determination result is an index for diagnosis. That is, based on the above determination result, for example, the diagnosis that intensive cancer cell removal is performed by the cancer cell removal devices 10c and 10d from the body fluid collected from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32. Is made.

  In this case, the receiving unit 39a of the control unit 37 receives information regarding the number of cancer cells from the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d, and the removal related information creating unit 38 of the control unit 37 determines the number of cancer cells. Based on the above, it is determined that the cancer cell removal devices 10c and 10d need to remove the cancer cells, and the cancer cell removal devices 10a and 10b do not need to remove the cancer cells. As a result, an instruction to remove cancer cells (information relating to removal of cancer cells) is transmitted from the transmission unit 39b of the control unit 37 to the cancer cell removal devices 10c and 10d, and the cancer cell removal device 10c. , 10d, cancer cells are removed. On the other hand, an instruction (information regarding removal of cancer cells) not to remove cancer cells is transmitted from the transmission unit 39b of the control unit 37 to the cancer cell removal devices 10a and 10b. Thereby, cancer cell removal apparatus 10a, 10b does not remove cancer cells.

  (Iii) The number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20c and 20d from body fluids collected from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the primary lesion 32 When the number of cancer cells detected by the cancer cell information detection devices 20a and 20b from body fluids collected from the liquid collection parts A1 and A2 farther from the cancer is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment. Then, it is determined that the patient 30 has cancer and cancer metastasis has occurred. The determination result is an index for diagnosis. That is, based on the determination result, for example, not only the body fluid collected from the liquid collection part collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32 but also the liquid collection part farther from the primary lesion 32 with the possibility of metastasis A diagnosis of removing cancer cells from body fluids collected from A1 and A2 and using other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer removal surgery, and immunotherapy as needed is made.

  In this case, the receiving unit 39a of the control unit 37 receives information regarding the number of cancer cells from the cancer cell information detection devices 20a to 20d, and the removal related information creating unit 38 of the control unit 37 determines the number of cancer cells. Based on the above, it is determined that the removal of the cancer cells is necessary by the cancer cell removing devices 10a to 10d. As a result, an instruction to remove the cancer cells (information regarding removal of the cancer cells) is transmitted from the transmission unit 39b of the control unit 37 to the cancer cell removal devices 10a to 10d, and the cancer cell removal device 10a. Cancer cells are removed at 10 to 10d.

  According to the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment, cancer cells are removed from a plurality of different liquid collection parts A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the patient 30, and collected from each liquid collection part in the control part. The metastasis of cancer cells can be estimated by comparing information on the cancer cells in the obtained body fluid. In addition, the necessity of another treatment method can be determined based on the estimated degree of metastasis of cancer cells.

  In the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment, the case where cancer cells are removed in parallel from a plurality of different liquid collection parts A1, A2, B1, and B2 of the patient 30 has been shown. You may remove a cancer cell separately about several liquid collection parts. For example, first, after collecting body fluid from the liquid collection parts B1 and B2 closer to the primary lesion 32 and removing the cancer cells, the liquid farther from the primary lesion 32 at a later date (for example, several days to several weeks later). Cancer cells may be removed by collecting body fluids from the parts A1 and A2. Thus, the burden on the patient 30 can be reduced by removing cancer cells separately for a plurality of different liquid collection parts.

  Moreover, in the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment, an example in which at least one cancer cell information detection device is provided in any cancer cell removal device has been described. A cancer cell information detection device may be provided only in a cancer cell removal device that processes a body fluid collected from a highly selective liquid collection unit. For example, you may provide a cancer cell information detection apparatus only in site | part A1, A2 near the primary lesion 32. FIG.

2.2. Effects According to the cancer cell removal system 200 according to the present embodiment, a body fluid is collected from a plurality of liquid collection parts A1, A2, B1, and B2 of a patient 30 including a plurality of cancer cell removal apparatuses 10. The cancer cells are removed from the collected body fluids by the cancer cell removing devices 10a to 10d. Thereby, cancer cells can be removed intensively at a site where many cancer cells are detected, and cancer metastasis can be prevented more effectively.

  This is the end of the description of the embodiment according to the present invention. The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same purposes and results). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cancer cell removal apparatus, 11, 11a, 11b, 11c ... Cancer cell removal apparatus main body, 12 ... Filtration part, 13 ... Fixing member, 14 ... Capture part, 15 ... Cancer cell (CTC), 16 ... Necrosis Inducing part, 17 ... components other than cancer cells, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, ... cancer cell information detecting device, 21 ... pipe, 23 ... pump, 24 ... Anticoagulant supply unit, 25, 26 ... pressure monitoring device, 27, 37 ... control unit, 28, 38 ... removal related information creation unit, 29a, 39a ... reception unit, 29b, 39b ... transmission unit, 30 ... patient, 32 ... Primary lesion, 100, 200 ... Cancer cell removal system, A, A1, A2, B1, B2 ... Collection part, C ... Return part

Claims (3)

A cancer cell removal device for removing cancer cells from body fluids collected from a patient;
A cancer cell information detection device for detecting information on cancer cells in the body fluid before being processed by the cancer cell removal device and / or after being processed by the cancer cell removal device;
A control unit that creates information relating to removal of cancer cells based on information relating to the cancer cells received from the cancer cell information detection device, and transmits information relating to removal of the cancer cells to the cancer cell removal device When,
including,
Cancer cell removal system. In claim 1,
Each including a plurality of the cancer cell removal device and the cancer cell information detection device,
The plurality of cancer cell removal devices include:
A first cancer cell removal device;
A second cancer cell removal device;
Including
The body fluid treated by the first cancer cell removal device is a cancer cell removal system collected from a site different from the body fluid treated by the second cancer cell removal device. A cancer cell removal device used in the cancer cell removal system according to claim 1 or 2,
A filtration unit for removing cancer cells contained in body fluid by filtration;
An antibody that specifically binds to a cancer cell is immobilized, and a capture unit that captures the cancer cell by binding the cancer cell and the antibody contained in a body fluid,
An apoptosis-inducing factor of a cancer cell is immobilized, and a necrosis-inducing part that makes the cancer cell necrotic by contacting the apoptosis-inducing factor with a cancer cell contained in a body fluid,
A cancer cell removing device comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of:

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