Basic research on novel immunosuppression-releasing therapies targeting lipid metabolism

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16836
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Kunisada Yuki 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 助教 (10779416)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-12-19 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 制御性T細胞 / 脂肪酸合成 / 腫瘍免疫 / 口腔癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We are conducting multiplex immunofluorescence staining using paraffin-embedded blocks of excised specimens from oral cancer patients, primarily tongue cancer patients, to analyze changes in fatty acid synthesis and the local infiltration of immune cells such as regulatory T cells (Treg), CD8 T cells, and CD3 T cells in tumor tissues and their surrounding tissues. In tumor tissues, the expression intensity of Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) molecules is clearly increased, and we have confirmed a tendency for the expression intensity of FASN molecules in surrounding tissues to increase as the tumor progresses. Additionally, we have observed an increase in the number of Treg cells in the tumor microenvironment with tumor growth.

Free Research Field

腫瘍免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞内代謝経路と免疫細胞の分化および機能の関係、免疫細胞の代謝変化とがん増悪化について非常に大きな注目を集めており、多くの代謝薬についてがん治療へのドラッグリポジショニングが検討されている。本研究でスタチン系薬剤により、がんの腫瘍増殖が制御出来たり、既存の抗腫瘍薬と併用することで抗腫瘍効果が増強することが分かれば、患者のQOLの維持に大きく貢献することが予想される。さらに代謝パラメーターは既存のがん治療の効果判定、予後予測のバイオマーカーとしても応用可能であり、医療の発展にも大きく貢献するものと考えられる。