Development of the method for reinforcement of the antitumor immunity for head and neck cancer based on the analyses of immnunometabolism using the mouse model

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21648
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 56:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Wakisaka Naohiro 金沢大学, 医学系, 協力研究員 (70377414)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌 / 免疫代謝 / ミトコンドリア / Toll-like receptor 4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was performed to elucidate the immunometabolic pathways of the T lymphocytes which were associated with antitumor immunity. Using a formalin fixation pathology specimen, the expressions of mRNAs were analyzed by a digital spatial profiler to elucidate an immunometabolic pathways.The analyses showed that the most significant immunometabolic process was mitochondria-related pathway, but not the glycolytic pathway to regulate the tumor progression. In addition, it was revealed that Toll-like receptor 4-related pathway greatly contributed to their activation.

Free Research Field

頭頸部癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果により頭頸部癌の免疫代謝プロセスのさらなる解明が見込まれ、さらに将来、腫瘍免疫を活性化するための薬剤選択など頭頸部癌免疫療法による患者予後の改善が見込まれる。
加えてミトコンドリア経路が免疫代謝に深く関与し、そしてそこにToll-like receptor 4経路が関与することが示されたことで、学術的にも本研究から派生して咽頭癌症例の扁桃における細菌叢の解明が進み、その結果、さらに新しい治療法の開発が見込まれる意義は大きい。