Changes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in B cell subsets of gastric cancer using scRNA-seq

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07244
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: NAGAI Eishi 九州大学, 医学研究院, 共同研究員 (30264021)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 進藤 幸治 九州大学, 大学病院, 講師 (00788432) ; 藤田 逸人 九州大学, 医学研究院, 共同研究員 (40611281)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 胃癌 / 化学療法 / B細胞 / 食道癌 / scRNA-seq

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study with scRNA-seq showed heterogeneity among B cells, such as immature, activated, and memory B cells. IgG-related gene expression of plasma cells involved in antibody-dependent cytotoxic effects was significantly higher in gastric cancer than in the adjacent normal tissues. Recently, it has been reported that B cells form tertiary lymph follicles in the tumor and promote the functional activity of CD8-positive T cells. In the present study, CTLA4 expression was low in chemotherapy-treated gastric cancer patients, and LAG3 expression was low in Nivolumab patients. These results suggest that the immune checkpoint molecules targeted by treatment may differ.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、腫瘍免疫におけるB細胞の抗腫瘍機能について着目されており、本研究では明らかなった化学療法や免疫チェックポイント阻害薬によるB細胞の変化は胃癌腫瘍微小環境の理解の一助となり、治療抵抗性胃癌腫瘍微小環境のリモデリングが期待できる免疫チェックポイント分子の同定は胃癌新規治療開発につながる可能性がある。