Tumor immunity enhancement and treatment of NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma by intestinal bacteria administration

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15980
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Takashi 横浜市立大学, 附属病院, 助教 (50825768)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肝細胞癌 / MASH / NASH / 腸内細菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the preventive and tumor growth inhibitory effects of the gut bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii on NASH-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH-related HCC model mice were orally administered live Faecalibacterium prausnitzii or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a vehicle control. The group receiving the live bacteria showed a significant reduction in both the number and total volume of tumors. Additionally, when heat-killed bacteria were administered in the same manner, the group receiving the heat-killed bacteria also showed a significant reduction in both the number and total volume of tumors compared to the PBS group. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect on NASH-associated liver cancer is attributed to the bacterial cell components rather than their metabolic products.

Free Research Field

Hepatology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

NASH肝癌の予防に関して、糖尿病治療薬や脂質異常症治療薬などメタボリックシンドローム治療薬による発癌予防効果が報告されている。しかし、臨床応用する際にはいずれも適用となる症例が限られ、副作用も問題となる。腸内細菌投与は適用症例を選ばず副作用がほぼ無いと思われることから、医学的に重要な研究になると考える。