Clinical study of synergistic effects of X-ray and anti-Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 antibody therapy in canine malignant tumor

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K23702
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0605:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Deguchi Tatsuya 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 特任助教 (10849962)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: イヌ / 腫瘍 / 免疫療法 / 放射線治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an important molecule for immune evasion mechanisms. In this study, the expression levels of PD-L1 was evaluated to clarify whether irradiation induces PD-L1 expression in canine tumor cell lines. In addition, the synergistic effects of radiotherapy and anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy was investigated in dogs with oral malignant melanoma. This study showed that X-irradiation in canine tumor cell induces PD-L1 expression and it led immune tolerance of tumor. The combination therapy with radiation and anti-PD-L1 antibody may promising therapy to delay progression of lung metastasis with activation of anti-tumor immunity by radiation.

Free Research Field

放射線生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は放射線による免疫抑制機構の獲得をイヌの腫瘍細胞株で評価し、腫瘍の免疫回避機構阻害剤の治療効果を放射線治療との併用下で評価することを目的としている。本研究の成果は、これまでの放射線治療ならびに免疫療法の問題点を解決するブレイクスルーとなり後続研究へ応用される可能性が非常に高い。また、本研究で得られた結果は獣医療だけに限定された問題ではなく、医療における根治に至らない腫瘍疾患に対しても適応可能な進展性のある研究と考えられる。