Elucidation of the Mechanism of Photoimmunotherapy Using Molecular Imaging and Development of New Drugs

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03593
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Ogawa Mikako 北海道大学, 薬学研究院, 教授 (20344351)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 久下 裕司 北海道大学, アイソトープ総合センター, 教授 (70321958)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 光治療 / PET / 光音響イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Photoimmunotherapy is a novel phototherapy for cancer that uses a drug with a light-sensitive dye IR700 conjugated to an antibody. In this study, PIT was evaluated using in vivo molecular imaging, which is the applicant's area of expertise. Furthermore, we aimed to improve versatility and applicability by developing longer wavelength and peptide drugs.
PET and ARG results suggested that PIT enhanced oxygen supply to the center of the irradiated tumor, thereby eliminating hypoxia. The small molecule drug GUL-IR700 was shown to have the potential to injure cells even through aggregate formation, although the 1O2 contribution was greater than that of antibody-IR700.

Free Research Field

分子イメージング

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本成果により、PITに必要とされる色素の構造、キャリアの分子量など、薬剤側の要点が明らかとなった。これを基に、より効果的な薬剤開発へとつながる可能性がある。