Functional analysis of CD74 as a therapeutic target for head and neck malignancies

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09599
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: NAGATO Toshihiro 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80431419)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: CD74 / MHCクラスⅡ / MIF / 頭頸部癌 / 免疫療法 / 抗体療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We detected that CD74 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was expressed on the surface and in the culture supernatant, respectively, of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) cell lines. In addition, CD74 was expressed by tumor cells in biopsy samples from NPC and ENKL patients. Positive expression of CD74 by NPC cells was significantly correlated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Furthermore, MIF was present in sera of NPC and ENKL patients at higher levels as compared to healthy individuals. These results suggest that the CD74-MIF pathway may be an important factor in the development of NPC and ENKL.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科・頭頸部外科学、病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

腫瘍細胞株と患者組織を用いた詳細な検討により、CD74-MIF経路がNPCやENKLの新しい治療標的となる可能性が明らかとなった。また、症例を増やした更なる検討が必要ではあるが、NPCとENKL患者血清中のMIFがバイオマーカーとして有用である可能性が示唆された。さらに、腫瘍細胞のCD74発現とEBウイルス感染に関連が示されたことから、CD74-MIF経路がNPCやENKL以外のEBウイルス関連腫瘍に対しても治療標的となる可能性があり、癌研究・治療全体への学術的・社会的貢献が期待できる。