Development of new immunotherapy to increase tumor infiltrating T cells in conventional pancreatic cancer

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16840
• 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: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: KATO Shingo 横浜市立大学, 附属病院, 講師 (20622583)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 膵癌 / 腫瘍免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to develop an effective cancer immunotherapy for conventional pancreatic cancer with few genetic mutations. Within the research period, we identified a chemokine whose secretion is significantly increased in pancreatic cancer cell organoids from secretome analysis of mouse pancreatic cancer organoids. Furthermore, using a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, we identified a tumor immunity-related gene from the signal transduction system of this chemokine that could be a therapeutic target. The growth of pancreatic cancer was significantly suppressed in knockout mice of this gene compared to wild-type mice as a host. In the future, we plan to examine the possibility of applying this gene as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer by administering a substance that inhibits the function of this gene from outside the body.

Free Research Field

腫瘍免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

難治癌である膵癌の新たな治療法開発の糸口となる所見を得た。腫瘍免疫療法は、原発臓器に関係なく効果が期待できる治療法である。しかし、膵癌においては治療効果が高くないという臨床試験の結果があり、現状では使用されていない。今回の研究で、膵癌に効果的な免疫療法の経路の一つを明らかにした。今後は、この経路を標的とした薬剤の開発を行い、臨床応用を目指すこととした。