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Satoshi Kashiwagi, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School (HMS)
Assistant Investigator, Department of Radiology, Mass General Brigham (MGB)
Academic & Professional Experience
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (2018 - Present)
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (2016 - 2018)
Assistant Investigator, Department of Radiology, MGB, Boston, MA (2017 - Present)
Assistant Investigator, Department of Medicine, MGH, Boston, MA (2016 - 2018)
Instructor, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (2009 - 2015)
Education
M.D. 1997, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Ph.D. 2004, Keio University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
CONTACT INFORMATION
149 13th St., Rm 5.213
Charlestown, MA 02129
p: 1-(617)-726-6265
WEBSITES
Translational Image-Guided Theranostics Scientist
Near-Infrared Imaging | Structure-Encoded Targeting | Phototherapy and Photoimmunotherapy | Image-Guided Therapy | Tumor Microenvironment and Nitric Oxide Biology
Dr. Satoshi Kashiwagi develops near-infrared imaging and theranostic technologies integrating molecular probe design, tumor biology, immunology, phototherapy, and image-guided intervention. His research focuses on small-molecule near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores and photonic platforms for real-time disease detection, fluorescence-guided surgery, phototherapy, photoimmunotherapy, and vascular or immune modulation. A central laboratory concept is structure-encoded targeting, in which small-molecule structure is engineered to control tissue distribution, cellular uptake, retention, clearance, and optical performance. This strategy moves beyond conventional ligand conjugation by integrating fluorophore chemistry with pharmacology, tumor microenvironment (TME) biology, and surgical usability. Building on foundational first-author work defining nitric oxide biology in tumor vessel maturation, vascular normalization, perfusion, lymphatic clearance, and treatment response, his laboratory extends NIR technologies from visualization to biologically informed therapy. Current programs combine NIR-I/NIR-II imaging, topical/systemic fluorophore delivery, phototheranostic probes, photobiomodulation, and immune modulation to detect disease, guide precision intervention, remodel TME, enhance antitumor immunity, and improve vascular and neurodegenerative clearance.
Featured Publications (full list ->📚)
1. Structure-encoded near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores for fluorescence-guided surgery
The laboratory develops structure-encoded NIR fluorophores that achieve selective tissue and tumor visualization through optimized charge, hydrophobicity, serum protein binding, transporter interaction, organelle retention, and clearance. This work supports fluorescence-guided surgery across cancer, endocrine tissues, nerve, brown fat, bone, cartilage, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, lymphatic flow, and amyloid-related pathology.
Selected papers:
Fukuda et al., Angewandte Chemie, 2022; Yokomizo et al., Advanced Science, 2022; Choi et al., Biomaterials Research, 2025.
https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/bmr.0235
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202117330
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202201416
2. Tumor microenvironment (TME) biology, tumor angiogenesis, and nitric oxide (NO) biology
Dr. Kashiwagi’s foundational work established nitric oxide as a key regulator of tumor vascular architecture, mural cell recruitment, vascular normalization, tissue perfusion, oxygenation, and therapy response. These studies provide the biological basis for current efforts to remodel the tumor microenvironment and improve image-guided and immune-based cancer therapy.
Selected papers:
Kashiwagi et al., Nature Medicine, 2008; Fukumura, Kashiwagi, and Jain, Nature Reviews Cancer, 2006; Kashiwagi et al., Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2005
https://www.nature.com/articles/nm1730
3. Image-guided phototherapy and photoimmunotherapy
The laboratory advances NIR imaging from anatomical visualization to image-guided therapeutic activation. Current work integrates tumor-targeted probes, photodynamic therapy, mild-temperature photothermal therapy, phototheranostic probe design, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to achieve local tumor destruction while promoting systemic antitumor immunity.
Selected papers:
Park et al., Biomaterials Research, 2024; Monaco et al., VIEW, 2022; Ji et al., Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2020.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/VIW.20200110
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169409X20300582
4. Tumor microenvironment (TME) immunology, immunoimaging, and immunologic adjuvant
Dr. Kashiwagi’s immunology program uses NIR light and NIR imaging to understand and modulate immune responses. This work spans immune exclusion, stromal signaling, T-cell redox biology, vaccine adjuvant mechanisms, dendritic cell trafficking, mast cell activation, lymphatic flow, and immune checkpoint therapy enhancement. The long-term goal is to use light and imaging not only to observe immune responses, but also to rationally reprogram them.
Selected papers:
Representative papers: Righi et al., Cancer Research, 2011; Morse et al., Journal of Immunology, 2017; Kimizuka et al., Journal of Immunology, 2018; Katagiri et al., Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2019; Katagiri et al., FASEB Journal, 2022.
https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fj.202200033R?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/issue/201/12?utm_source=chatgpt.com&login=false
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adhm.201900035
5. NIR-II phototherapy and photobiomodulation
The laboratory is developing NIR-II photobiomodulation as a drug-free physical strategy to regulate vascular and immune biology. This work demonstrates that NIR-II light can activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase, increase nitric oxide bioavailability, improve blood flow, and protect against cerebrovascular injury. This platform connects photonics, NO biology, vascular physiology, and translational therapy for stroke and neurodegenerative disease.
Selected papers:
Yokomizo et al., FASEB Journal, 2022; Yokomizo et al., Stroke, 2024; Kashiwagi et al., Nitric Oxide, 2023.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.045358?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202101890R
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1089860322001240?via%3Dihub
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