{"id":314,"date":"2026-08-19T15:25:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T06:25:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp\/home\/english-demo\/?page_id=314"},"modified":"2026-08-19T15:31:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T06:31:55","slug":"respirology-rheumatology-infectious-diseases-and-neurology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.med.miyazaki-u.ac.jp\/home\/english-demo\/departments\/clinical-departments\/respirology-rheumatology-infectious-diseases-and-neurology\/","title":{"rendered":"Respirology, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, and Neurology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About Us \/ Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, and Neurology (Department of Internal Medicine) comprises four divisions: the Division of Respiratory Medicine, the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Division of Infectious Diseases, and the Division of Neurology. We cover a broad spectrum of internal medicine. For complex conditions\u2014including severe, refractory, and rare diseases\u2014we collaborate across divisions and leverage each division\u2019s expertise to provide the best possible care.
We also actively pursue research that emerges from questions in daily clinical practice, aiming to develop new diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. For international students, we offer an environment where clinical learning is closely linked to a research perspective.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Major Subspecialty: Division of Respiratory Medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Clinical Scope and Educational Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Division of Respiratory Medicine manages a wide range of conditions, including infectious diseases, thoracic malignancies, interstitial lung diseases, allergic diseases, immune-mediated diseases, airway diseases, and circulatory disorders. Through broad differential diagnosis and an understanding of pathophysiology, students can learn how to integrate multiple sources of information\u2014imaging, pathology, pulmonary function testing, and endoscopic findings\u2014to reach appropriate diagnoses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Therapeutic Advances and Patient-Centered Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Therapeutic options have advanced rapidly in recent years. In lung cancer, precision medicine has expanded with molecular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In interstitial lung diseases, treatment strategies continue to evolve with the widespread use of antifibrotic agents. For COPD and asthma, new options\u2014including biologics (monoclonal antibodies)\u2014are increasingly available. A key feature of this field is learning patient-centered care across the full spectrum, from acute management to chronic care, as well as symptom management and supportive care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Focus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are advancing research on respiratory infections, lung cancer, interstitial lung diseases, and bronchial asthma, from the perspective of basic and translational research. We also conduct clinical research, including biomarker discovery, evaluation of treatment outcomes, and quality-of-life (QOL) research, and share our research findings with the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main Clinical Research Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  • Establishment of an infectious disease research platform in Miyazaki Prefecture<\/li>
  • Development of diagnostic agents and therapeutics for controlling drug-resistant filamentous fungal infections<\/li>
  • Elucidation of the formation mechanisms of the lung cancer microenvironment at the single-cell level<\/li>
  • Identification of the mechanisms of action for novel therapeutic agents for lung fibrosis<\/li>
  • Investigation of the anti-inflammatory effects of lipid-derived biomarkers in bronchial asthma<\/li>
  • Development of new therapeutic strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Major Subspecialty: Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    About the Department<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Our department, led by Director Dr. Kunihiko Umekita, consists of 16 physicians who are actively engaged in both clinical care and research. We provide specialized care for patients with complex and refractory autoimmune and rheumatic diseases requiring advanced therapeutic management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clinical Expertise and Patient Population<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    We serve as a regional referral center for rheumatic diseases across Miyazaki Prefecture. Many patients are referred to us from affiliated hospitals throughout the region. A distinctive feature of our department is the only dedicated outpatient clinic in Japan for HTLV-1\u2013positive rheumatic diseases. Patients visit our institution from across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Clinical Trials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    We actively participate in international multicenter clinical trials. Current studies include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n