Immunosuppression and chemoresistance of malignant glioma: functions of IL-34 in the tumor microenvironment

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Sugii Narushi 筑波大学, 附属病院, 病院講師 (10851090)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: IL34 / 悪性グリオーマ / 化学療法耐性株 / 脳浸潤マクロファージ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The principal investigator created five chemo-resistant strains (TS, GL261, U251, U118, U87) for four chemotherapeutic agents (temozolomide, procarbazine, nimustine hydrochloride, and vincristine). By using the chemo-resistant cells created, changes in the expression of IL-34, CSF-1, and CSF-1R were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR, and siRNA was used to knock down the expression of IL-34 and evaluate its effect on sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and cell proliferation. IL-34 did not nearly upregulate after chemotherapy exposure, and "IL-34 is NOT a promising therapeutic target molecule in malignant gliomas".

Free Research Field

脳腫瘍免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過去の文献から、IL-34は腫瘍局所において、腫瘍自身の化学療法抵抗性と抗腫瘍免疫の抑制の2つの役割を果たしている可能性が考えられた。しかしながら、悪性グリオーマ細胞株においては、IL-34の影響は軽微であることがわかった。
いまだに治療困難である悪性グリオーマの治療成績を向上させるためには、IL-34とは異なる標的を考える必要がある。