novel development research on the prevention and treatment of malignant mesothelioma

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K09566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Respiratory organ internal medicine
• Research Institution: Hyogo University of Health Sciences (2019); Hyogo Medical University (2016-2018)
• Principal Investigator: Tabata Chiharu 兵庫医療大学, 薬学部, 教授 (90432393)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 中皮腫瘍 / サイトカイン / 間質性肺炎 / 血管新生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive malignant tumor of mesothelial origin associated with asbestos exposure. Although recently, asbestos usage has decreased in Western countries and Japan, the incidence of MPM is expected to markedly increase over the next few decades because there is the long latency period between asbestos exposure and tumor development. MPM shows limited response to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the present study, we examined novel development research on the prevention and treatment of malignant mesothelioma, the origin of which is mesenchymal cells, similar to lung fibroblasts.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在、悪性中皮腫に対しては、世界的にもシスプラチン、ペメトレキセドと免疫チェックポイント阻害薬「オプジーボ（一般名：ニボルマブ）」以外の有効な抗がん剤に乏しく、また手術や放射線治療は治療抵抗性であるため、臨床上中皮腫の治療は非常に難渋している。そのため新規の抗がん剤の開発研究はわが国だけでなく世界的にも急を要する意義ある研究である。