Analysis of the Mechanism of Tumor Immunomodulation through the Combination of Radiotherapy and Mesoporous Silica Particles

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16811
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Sun Lue 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生命工学領域, 研究員 (40757704)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線治療 / 無機材料 / 抗腫瘍免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that the combination of mesoporous silica and X-irradiation suppress tumor growth more effectively than X-irradiation alone, although there was significant variability and no statistically significant difference was observed. Further, we analyzed cytokine levels in the mouse spleen and we found an increase in interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine associated with anti-tumor immunity, particularly in mice showing significant tumor growth delay. We observed that administration of mesoporous silica resulted in an increased level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) following X-ray irradiation. The mesoporous silica used in our study appears to exert both accelerating and inhibitory effects on tumor immunity, making it challenging to control the balance between the two.

Free Research Field

放射線生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

患者負担が少ない放射線治療の治療効果を上げることは、臨床上の意義が高いと考えられる。メソポーラスシリカは工業分野だけでなく、医学利用に関しても多く研究が行われており、ドラッグデリバリーの担体やがんワクチンアジュバントとしての利用が検討されている。本研究は、メソポーラスシリカと放射線治療の併用についての基礎研究であり、メソポーラスシリカの持つ免疫調節機能の一部を明らかにした。本研究に引き続き、工夫されたメソポーラスシリカの利用やその他微粒子の利用による放射線治療効果向上に関する研究が行われることを期待する。