Can allelic polymorphisms of KIRs predict TFR in CML?

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17860
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 54010:Hematology and medical oncology-related
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Ureshino Hiroshi 佐賀大学, 医学部, 病院講師 (00807464)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性骨髄性白血病 / NK細胞免疫 / KIR遺伝子多型 / T細胞免疫 / HLA多型 / 無治療寛解維持

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the association between KIR/HLA polymorphisms in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML). HLA allelic polymorphisms was associated with the achievement of treatment free remission (TFR) after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discontinuation. Patients who could discontinue TKI had higher NK cell activation status compared with patients who could not. Meanwhile, NK cell activation status did not affect the achievement of TFR in patients with CML. These results suggest NK cell activation can be associated with the achievement of DMR during TKI treatment, while T-cell activation can be associated with the achievement of TFR after TKI discontinuation in patients with CML.

Free Research Field

血液内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

慢性骨髄性白血病の治療経過におけるNK細胞及びT細胞免疫の役割分担の可能性について示すことができた。NK細胞やT細胞免疫活性化を起こさせる何らかのチロシンキナーゼ阻害剤（TKI)との併用療法を考案することで、より多くの人がTKI中止を行うことができ、それに引き続くTKI中止後の寛解維持を行うことができると考える。より多くの人が無治療寛解維持を達成することで医療費の削減に寄与できると考える。