The role of immunoregulatory monocytes in cancer progression

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19387
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 49:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Masato 東京薬科大学, 生命科学部, 教授 (00294059)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: がん / 転移 / 単球 / 制御性 / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was conducted to elucidate the role of immunoregulatory monocytes in the mechanisms of cancer progression induced by inflammation. As results, immunoregulatory monocytes, which is increased in number in inflammatory conditions induced by surgical or radiation therapy for primary tumor, contribute to the formation of premetastatic niche. We also revealed the molecular mechanisms for cancer progression promoted by immnuoregulatory monocytes. In addition, we identified the progenitor of immunoregulatory monocytes in bone marrow as well as the factor for the differentiation of these cells.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、炎症の収束や組織修復に関わる制御性単球が、前転移ニッチの形成に重要な役割を担うことが明らかとなった。本研究成果は、がん治療に伴う炎症によって増産される制御性単球を標的とした新しいがん治療戦略の開発につながる。具体的に、制御性単球の分化機構の制御、あるいは制御性単球の機能分子の制御を機序とした新規がん免疫療法の開発が期待できる。