Nivolumab+irradiation for esophageal cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09128
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Kono Koji 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40283204)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 三村 耕作 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90568031)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: がん免疫療法 / 食道がん / 免疫チェエクポイント阻害剤 / Immunogenic cell death

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have accumulated knowledge that irradiation induces immunogenic cell death and that irradiation is a promising partner for ICI as a combined immunotherapy. Therefore, the present study aims to clarify how irradiation affects the tumor immune environment and maximizes the synergistic effect with ICI. A prospective observational study, the 'E-circuit trial', was designed and conducted in 20 patients. We found that irradiation induced T cells that recognized neo-antigens, and that these T cells were re-invigorated by nivolumab.

Free Research Field

消化器外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本申請研究によって、放射線照射と免疫チェエクポイント阻害剤の複合免疫療法の相乗効果の機序が判明した。この成果は、食道癌の新しい治療戦略の開発に寄与する。