The role of immune editing in malignant melanoma and its therapeutic targeting

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K08276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Saitama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Murakami Takashi 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (00326852)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 堀内 大 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (30608906)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: メラノーマ / 腫瘍免疫 / 細胞死 / 細菌 / アジュバント

Outline of Final Research Achievements

While tumor antigens are present in malignant melanoma, the process of its development confers a characteristic immune escape potential. In this study, we sought a way to maximize the anti-tumor immune response that should work to eliminate the tumor. An anaerobic bacterium Salmonella was used to elicit preferable alterations on the melanoma cells. We further found that the bacteria infected B16 melanoma cells and elicited strong host immune responses that had not previously been obtained. Consequently, this study suggests that there is an intrinsic mechanism that confers strong immunogenicity even to melanoma cells with immune escape potential.

Free Research Field

皮膚腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から、メラノーマ進展に伴う免疫逃避能を抑制する方法として細胞内寄生細菌がもたらす細胞変性が強い免疫原になることが示唆された。がん細胞に免疫原性を強力に付与する仕組みが解明されれば、メラノーマ進展に伴う免疫逃避能を抑制する方法の開発が期待できる。がん免疫逃避抑制療法を併用することによって、従来までの標準的ながん薬物治療の効果を最大限に引き出し、がん医療が大きく改善されるにちがいない。