Understanding follicular helper T cell lymphoma focusing on germinal center B cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03684
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Chiba Shigeru 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 教授 (60212049)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 血管免疫芽球性T細胞リンパ腫 / 濾胞ヘルパーT細胞リンパ腫 / TET2 / 胚中心B細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Follicular helper T-cell lymphoma is an intractable malignant lymphoma, and thus, there is a great need to develop new therapeutics. In this study, we clarified the significance of TET2 gene abnormalities identified in more than 80% of follicular helper T-cell lymphomas. Specifically, TET2 gene abnormalities occur in hematopoietic stem cells and are also found in non-neoplastic germinal center B cells in addition to the neoplastic T cells. For the development of follicular helper T-cell lymphoma, demonstrated was the importance of interaction between CD40 expressed on germinal center B-cells with CD40 ligand expressed on the follicular helper T cells.

Free Research Field

血液内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

腫瘍細胞が発現するCD40リガンドと周囲のB細胞が発現するCD40との相互作用が，濾胞性ヘルパーT細胞リンパ腫の発症に重要であることを示した。従って，CD40リガンドとCD40の相互作用を阻害する薬剤が，濾胞性ヘルパーT細胞リンパ腫の治療薬になる可能性がある。CD40リガンドとCD40の相互作用を阻害する薬剤は，炎症疾患の治療薬として開発が進められている。この薬剤が濾胞性ヘルパーT細胞リンパ腫の治療薬として有用な可能性が示された。