Elucidation of the mechanism of resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors in oral squamous cell carcinoma and novel therapeutic strategies

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K10142
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nagata Masashi 熊本大学, 病院, 医員 (10635791)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔扁平上皮癌 / 免疫チェックポイント阻害剤 / 治療マーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma has been attracting attention, we explored the possibility of PDL1, a marker of ICIs, as a treatment prognostic factor. The PD-L1EVs-high group had a worse prognosis in PFS, PFS2, and OS compared to the PD-L1EVs-low group, and PD-L1EVs was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Next, we analyzed the relationship between nutritional indicators and T cell exhaustion in peripheral blood, and found that patients with low OPNI values had more advanced T cell exhaustion of CTLs in peripheral blood, suggesting that poor nutritional status may affect the immune status of the whole body.

Free Research Field

口腔癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

治療予後因子の解明により、患者1人1人に適した抗腫瘍薬を選択することが可能になり、治療効果向上が期待される。また、根治的加療が不可能である進行例においても、効果的な薬剤の使用や、補助療法の併用にてQOLの維持に繋がると思われる。