Development of a novel treatment for oral cancer using mesenchymal stem cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19166
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Aijima Reona 佐賀大学, 医学部, 講師 (30756143)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔がん / 間葉系幹細胞 / 免疫療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, anticancer treatment has been developed not only by surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but also immunotherapy that applies the control of immune cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate the functions of various immune cells and exert excellent immunomodulatory ability. In addition, it has the characteristics of tumor accumulation and low immunogenicity, and so efficient and safe treatment with few side effects can be expected. In this study, we showed strong and selective antitumor ligands were expressed in MSCs. Additionally, antitumor ligands expression in MSCs could be induced at a high rate by cytokine stimulation. Furthermore, protein expression that activates tumor immunity was also confirmed. These results suggest that MSCs may lead to the development of new oral cancer treatments that utilize immune responses.

Free Research Field

外科系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

口腔がんの中には外科的切除が困難で、薬物療法や放射線照射に抵抗性を示すものが存在する。本研究によりMSCには口腔がんに対して直接的、また間接的な抗腫瘍効果を有する可能性が示唆された。幹細胞による免疫学的抗腫瘍効果という新しい視点に立った本研究は、免疫療法の新しい道筋をもたらす基礎的研究となりうる。