Importance of MUC1 in the mechanism of resistance for anti-PD-1 inhibitor

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53030:Respiratory medicine-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: NAMBA MASASHI 広島大学, 病院(医), 助教 (40848090)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: MUC1 / KL-6 / PD-L1 / PD-1 antibody

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although there was a correlation between serum KL-6 and the therapeutic effect of the PD-1 antibody in patients with lung cancer, no correlation was found between the KL-6 values and the level of PD-L1 expression. Moreover, data from the immunohistochemical staining of KL-6 did not show a correlation with the therapeutic effect.
We used flow cytometry to evaluate whether there would be any changes in PD-L1 expression when KL-6 expression was knocked down with siRNA in lung cancer cell lines, but we were unable to confirm any clear changes. However, it should not be concluded that there is no relationship between KL-6 and PD-L1 based solely on the results of the flow cytometry. It is considered necessary to conduct additional experiments in the future.

Free Research Field

Lung cancer

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

免疫チェックポイント阻害薬が効かない肺癌患者の中に血清KL-6が高値のものがいることがわかっており、KL-6が治療標的となりえるかどうかを探索する研究である。PD-L1発現との関連に着目して研究を行ったが、現状ではその関与を明らかにすることはできなかった。