Identification of the mechanism of anti-tumor effect of IFN-alpha against malignant stem cells using iPS cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17871
• 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: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Edahiro Yoko 順天堂大学, 医学部, 准教授 (40732863)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 骨髄増殖性腫瘍 / JAK2V617F

Outline of Final Research Achievements

hiladelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are characterized by the clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, driven by somatic mutations including JAK2V617F. Recently, some patients have been reported to achieve complete molecular remission by interferon-alpha (IFN-α), however its mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, I generated iPS cells from a patient with MPN and established an in vitro model system. Consequently, I added IFN-α to these iPS cells and analyzed the anti-tumor effect of IFN-α against MPN cells.

Free Research Field

血液内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

骨髄増殖性腫瘍（MPN）に対して、病気を完全に治癒させる可能性があるインターフェロン-α(IFN-α)の作用機序を、iPS細胞を用いて解析した。今回の研究では、JAK2V617F変異を導入したiPS細胞と、変異を有さない野生型のiPS細胞の両者で、血液細胞に対するIFN-αの効果を認めたが、明らかな差は認めなかった。今後、さらなる解析を行うことで、MPNの治癒を目指した治療戦略の構築につながると考える。