Juntendo University, Tokyo, established in 1838.

A donation laboratory “Immunodiagnostics” was opened in April 2018 with funding and academic support provided by SRL Co., Ltd. (Miraka Holding Group). Here, with the cooperation of physicians and scientists, we will take advantage of the fact that human tissue specimens (surgical materials, patient blood) can be directly used as antigens. Our aim is to establish monoclonal antibodies with high affinity targeting these antigens and establish diagnostic methods.

Even today, monoclonal antibodies used in ELISA and FACS are essential for cancer diagnosis, but in order to further improve the sensitivity and accuracy of detection, antibodies with higher specificity and higher binding power are required. In particular, it will be necessary to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) and identify small molecules such as exosomes for cancer-related diagnostics.
CTC are extremely useful for the prediction of cancer recurrence and metastasis. In addition, exosomes are extracellular vesicle granules secreted by various cells including cancer that are recently expected for early diagnosis of cancer cells. In particular, cancer cells produce exosomes 50 times more than normal cells from an early stage, making exosomes an extremely useful tool for early detection of cancer.

By analyzing rare cells and exosomes in the circulating blood using antibodies established in our department, it will be possible to predict not only early diagnosis but also the possibility of metastasis and the efficacy of molecular target drugs. We will try to develop new diagnostic agents in cooperation with the SRL Institute, but we also expect the participation of graduate students, including our clinical teachers.

Thank you for your interest in our department.

Shuji Matsuoka, Ph.D.

Project Associate Professor, Immunological Diagnosis

Ko Okumura, M.D., Ph.D.

Emeritus Professor, Director of Atopy（Allergy）Research Center

Contact information

Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
Immunodiagnostics course
2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421
Tel 03 (3813) 3111 extension 2158