Development of immunological treatment strategies targeting cancer-infiltrating myeloid lineage cells for oral cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17111
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: TACHINAMI Hidetake 富山大学, 学術研究部医学系, 助教 (30850268)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔癌 / 腫瘍免疫 / 骨髄由来抑制性細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The immunosuppressive function was evaluated by functional analysis of in vitro T-cell proliferation assays. Preliminary experiments using anti-CD73 antibodies showed strong cytotoxicity. Therefore, the experimental system was changed to one using Pak4 inhibitor, CD36 inhibitor, or mTOR inhibitor, which are expected to be applied to oral squamous cell carcinoma as immunostimulatory agents after 2020. The results demonstrated that both of these drugs have a positive effect on T cells at concentrations that take into account their toxicity.

Free Research Field

口腔癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

免疫チェックポイント阻害剤の効果は一部の患者に限定的である。その一因として、MDSCの存在が考えられる。前述の薬剤のうち、CD36阻害剤、mTOR阻害剤は口腔扁平上皮癌のMDSCを制御し、T細胞分画へ好影響を示唆する結果であった。以上のことから、既存の薬物療法で抵抗性の口腔扁平上皮癌へ新規治療薬としての臨床応用が期待できる。