Study on the Efficacy of Combination Therapy with Metal Nanoparticles and Molecular Targeted Drugs in Oral Cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18693
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Kakei Yasumasa 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特命講師 (70772896)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線増感効果 / ナノ粒子 / 口腔癌 / 分子標的薬 / EGFR阻害薬 / アポトーシス / 金ナノ粒子 / 放射線増感剤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we confirmed by Raman spectroscopy that gold nanoparticles adhere to EGFR inhibitors such as AG1478 and cetuximab, and we demonstrated that gold nanoparticles can be used not only as radiosensitizers but also to sensitize the anti-tumor effects of EGFR inhibitors.
The anti-tumor effect was attributed to apoptosis and decreased cell proliferative capacity. The localization of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy in vitro and by scanning electron microscopy in vivo in nude mouse tumors. The addition of gold nanoparticles was clearly not toxic in vivo, as no degeneration was observed in the liver, heart, kidney, or lungs. The addition of gold nanoparticles did not cause toxicity in the liver, heart, kidneys, or lungs in vivo. The above information was presented at the International Conference of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and published in Biomed Research International and Cancers.

Free Research Field

口腔外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

メタルナノ粒子で最も生体毒性のない金ナノ粒子添加によって従来の放射線療法だけでなく、分子標的薬の抗腫瘍効果も増感しているが顕微鏡および動物実験において明らかになった。口腔癌という局所治療に適した部位であることからも今後のヒトへの臨床応用が強く期待される研究となった。