Association between anti-tumor effect of Kampo combined with anti-PD-1 antibody and interstinal microbiota

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18128
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Ueda Kosuke 久留米大学, 医学部, 講師 (60569440)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 腎細胞癌 / 腸内細菌 / 免疫チェックポイント阻害剤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we evaluated the effects of Japanese traditional herbal medicines which called as Kampo on the intestinal microbiota in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the antitumor effect of its combination with anti-PD-1 antibody. Regarding the effect of Kampo on tumor growth inhibition, it was shown that tumor growth was most inhibited in mice transplanted with RCC cell lines that were treated with Daiokanzoto, and that the administration of Kampo increases the diversity of the intestinal microbiota. In the study of the combination of Kampo and anti-PD-1 antibody, most effective anti-tumor effect was observed in the group that treated with Daikenchuto and anti-PD-1 antibody. However, no significant change was observed in the intestinal microbiota compared to the other groups. Although the combination of Kampo and anti-PD-1 antibodies may enhance the anti-tumor effect against RCC, the association with the intestinal microbiota was not clarified.

Free Research Field

腎細胞癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では腎細胞癌における漢方薬が与える腸内細菌叢への影響、漢方薬と免疫チェックポイント阻害剤である抗PD-1抗体との併用による治療効果を評価した。腫瘍増殖に与える影響に関する検討では、漢方薬の投与により抗腫瘍効果や腸内細菌叢の変化に影響は認められるものの薬剤間において顕著な変化は認められなかった。漢方薬と抗PD-1抗体を用いた検討においても大黄甘草湯と抗PD-1抗体を併用した群において高い抗腫瘍効果が認められたが、腸内細菌叢には有意な変化は確認されなかった。漢方薬と抗PD-1抗体の併用により腎細胞癌に対する抗腫瘍効果を高める可能性はあるが、腸内細菌叢との関連については明らかとならなかった。