Cancer Treatment "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (Photoimmunotherapy)" Covered by Health Insurance in Japan Has Begun
Key facts
- Cancer Treatment "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (Photoimmunotherapy)" Covered by Health Insurance in Japan Has Begun
- The world's first international scientific meeting dedicated to "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)", a cancer treatment now covered by health insurance in Japan, will be held on June 3, 2026, at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the U.S., and Europe will participate to discuss a wide range of topics from basic research to clinical applications.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 1, 2026
Direct answer
The world's first international scientific meeting dedicated to "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)", a cancer treatment now covered by health insurance in Japan, will be held on June 3, 2026, at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the U.S., and Europe will participate to discuss a wide range of topics from basic research to clinical applications.
- Citation
- Cancer Treatment "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (Photoimmunotherapy)" Covered by Health Insurance in Japan Has Begun (April 1, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 1, 2026
The world's first international scientific meeting dedicated to "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)", a cancer treatment now covered by health insurance in Japan, will be held on June 3, 2026, at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the U.S., and Europe will participate to discuss a wide range of topics from basic research to clinical applications.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 07:49 (501h 33m after Collected)
The Inaugural Scientific Meeting of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), the world's first international conference dedicated to Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), a cancer treatment for which health insurance coverage has begun in Japan, will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. (Initiator and local organizer: Hisataka Kobayashi)
Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the United States, Europe, and other regions are expected to participate in this conference, including researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A wide range of topics will be discussed, from basic research to clinical trials of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), development of new molecular targets and drugs, and future possibilities for clinical application. Discussions will also cover research collaboration and new research developments among researchers from Japan, the U.S., and Europe.
Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new cancer treatment method that combines antibodies that bind to cancer cells with a dye that reacts to near-infrared light, selectively destroying only the cells irradiated with light. In Japan, health insurance coverage for head and neck cancer began in 2020, and clinical application and research and development are currently ongoing.
Participation in this conference at the venue is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (Green Card holders) due to NIH visit program regulations. Those who do not meet these criteria can register via the "Registration" section of the official website to view the lectures streamed from the venue online (pre-registration deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026).
This press release includes an announcement poster for the international conference to be held at the U.S. NIH, as well as a poster for the next conference scheduled to be held in Japan.
Furthermore, the 1st Photoimmunotherapy Research Meeting was held in Japan on Sunday, December 22, 2024, and the next 2nd Photoimmunotherapy Research Meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel. It is expected to be a venue for further exchange and development among researchers and clinicians from Japan and abroad.
**Overview of the Conference**
Name: The Inaugural Scientific Meeting of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Venue: Natcher Auditorium, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Official Website: http://nirpit26-usa.kenkyuukai.jp/special/index.asp?id=46100
Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the United States, Europe, and other regions are expected to participate in this conference, including researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A wide range of topics will be discussed, from basic research to clinical trials of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), development of new molecular targets and drugs, and future possibilities for clinical application. Discussions will also cover research collaboration and new research developments among researchers from Japan, the U.S., and Europe.
Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new cancer treatment method that combines antibodies that bind to cancer cells with a dye that reacts to near-infrared light, selectively destroying only the cells irradiated with light. In Japan, health insurance coverage for head and neck cancer began in 2020, and clinical application and research and development are currently ongoing.
Participation in this conference at the venue is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (Green Card holders) due to NIH visit program regulations. Those who do not meet these criteria can register via the "Registration" section of the official website to view the lectures streamed from the venue online (pre-registration deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026).
This press release includes an announcement poster for the international conference to be held at the U.S. NIH, as well as a poster for the next conference scheduled to be held in Japan.
Furthermore, the 1st Photoimmunotherapy Research Meeting was held in Japan on Sunday, December 22, 2024, and the next 2nd Photoimmunotherapy Research Meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel. It is expected to be a venue for further exchange and development among researchers and clinicians from Japan and abroad.
**Overview of the Conference**
Name: The Inaugural Scientific Meeting of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Venue: Natcher Auditorium, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Official Website: http://nirpit26-usa.kenkyuukai.jp/special/index.asp?id=46100
FAQ
What is Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)?
It is a new cancer treatment that combines antibodies that bind to cancer cells with a dye that reacts to near-infrared light, selectively destroying cancer cells with light exposure.
When and where will the international conference be held?
It will be held on June 3, 2026, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
When did insurance coverage for NIR-PIT start in Japan?
Insurance coverage for NIR-PIT started in Japan in 2020 for head and neck cancer.