Novel multiplex immunohistochemical analysis for tumor heterogeneity and tumor immune microenvironment in head and neck cancer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18814
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Tsujikawa Takahiro 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (80713916)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌 / 腫瘍免疫 / イメージング / 癌微小環境

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on multiplex immunohistochemistry and image cytometry, enabling immunohistochemical analysis of 12 epitopes from a single formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded section, the intratumoral heterogeneity and immune-based characteristics of head and neck cancer have been investigated. Immunohistochemical markers capable of assessing various malignant capabilities of cancer cells were extracted from the past 10 years of publications using systematic review and meta-analysis, and a panel was constructed to examine 10 representative malignant capabilities of head and neck cancer in a single section. A technical basis that enables integrated analysis of both cancer cells and immune cells has been completed, and is expected to contribute to the development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in the future.

Free Research Field

頭頸部外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

癌治療の効果予測や治療抵抗性制御において腫瘍内の癌細胞や免疫特性の不均一性の定量的評価が課題となっている。本研究課題で、低コストの多重染色技術を用いて、従来の方法では実現困難であった同一組織上での癌細胞と免疫細胞の特性評価法が確立されたことから、今後の頭頸部癌への治療効果予測、最適化につながり、治療成績の向上、副作用・医療費低減への寄与が期待される。