Cancer Treatment "Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)" Covered by Health Insurance in Japan, World's First International Conference in the Field of NIR-PIT Held at NIH in the US

The world's first international conference specializing in Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), a cancer treatment covered by health insurance in Japan, will be held.

"The Inaugural Scientific Meeting of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT)" will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. (Organizer and local host: Hisataka Kobayashi)

Researchers and clinicians from Japan, the United States, Europe, and other regions are expected to participate in this conference, along with researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Discussions will cover a wide range of topics, from basic research to clinical trials of Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), new molecular targets and drug development, and the potential for future clinical applications. Exchange of opinions on research collaboration and new research developments among researchers from Japan, the U.S., and Europe is also planned.

Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new cancer treatment that combines an antibody that binds 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 underway.

Attendance at the conference venue is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) under the NIH visit program regulations. Those who do not qualify can register through the "Registration" link on the official website to view live streamed lectures online (Pre-registration deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026).

This press release also includes a poster for the international conference to be held at NIH in the US, as well as a poster for the next conference scheduled to be held in Japan.

Furthermore, the 1st Photoimmunotherapy Conference was held in Japan on Sunday, December 22, 2024, and the next, 2nd Photoimmunotherapy Conference, is scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel. It is expected to be a place 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

Poster for the international conference on Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Poster for the 2nd Photoimmunotherapy Conference on Saturday, December 19, 2026