Molecular characterization of sialylated HEG1, a specific targeting of tumor blood vessels

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Gunma University of Health and Welfare (2021-2022); Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Tsuji Shoutaro 群馬医療福祉大学, 医療技術学部, 教授 (30285192)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 腫瘍マーカー / 中皮腫 / 血管内皮細胞 / HEG1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

SKM9-2, a marker antibody for malignant mesothelioma, also binds to tumor blood vessels formed around cancer. This study revealed that SKM9-2 is a unique antibody that simultaneously recognizes sugar chains and peptides, and provided important findings for the development of new antibody drugs that target mesothelioma and tumor blood vessels. In addition, we were able to prove that the site-specific glycosylation of specific antigens, such as the epitope of SKM9-2, is useful for detecting and diagnosing diseases and abnormalities.

Free Research Field

腫瘍診断および治療学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によりSKM9-2が糖鎖とペプチドを同時認識するユニークな抗体であることが明らかとなった。研究成果は現在進行中のヒト化SKM9-2を用いた抗体治療薬開発において規制当局対応に関わる重要な知見となる。また、SKM9-2のエピトープで見られたような特定の抗原の部位に特異的な糖鎖付加は、疾患や異常の発見・診断に有用であることを立証することができ、部位特異的な糖鎖創薬という新たな医薬品開発の可能性を示すことができた。