Development of novel therapy with small molecule targeting CD200 against pancreatic cancer

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22668
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 55:Surgery of the organs maintaining homeostasis and related fields
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: SHO MASAYUKI 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50364063)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 赤堀 宇広 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 学内講師 (10423922) ; 長井 美奈子 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (80646092)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 難治性消化器癌 / 免疫治療 / 治療抵抗性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pancreatic cancer remains to be one of the most intractable cancers. In this study, we aimed to develop novel multidisciplinary treatment to overcome the limitations of current conventional therapy. We have recently found that CD200 may be involved in not only tumor immunity but also treatment resistance. Based on our findings, we tried to explore the small molecule compounds that could block the function of CD200 in tumor environment. Although it is still under investigation, we will continue our research to fully meet the purpose of this research.

Free Research Field

外科，化学療法，免疫治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の目的が達成できれば，今日の癌治療における既成概念を転換できる可能性はある．さらに，低コストでの化合物の大量生産が実現すれば，免疫チェックポイント抗体治療において大きな社会問題となっている莫大な医療費問題を解決し得る可能性もあり，医療経済的観点からも研究の意義は大きい．また，人類にとって最難治癌である膵癌での効果が証明できれば，膵癌に留まらず，幅広く，癌治療全体にパラダイムシフトを起こせる可能性もあると考える．