Pancreatic cancer Immunotherapy through modification of tumor microenvironment by probiotics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20957
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0905:Surgery of the organs maintaining homeostasis and related fields
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIMURA Tomohiro 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 準客員研究員 (70908764)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 膵癌 / 腸内細菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of the study is to collect basic data to proof the usefulness of using Probiotics in combination with conventional therapy by examining the effects of chemotherapy on the gut microbiota.
This study included 10 patients who planed chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Eight cases were male and two cases were female. The mean age was 70.8 years, and the resectability classification was R pancreatic cancer in 2 cases, BR pancreatic cancer in 1 cases, and UR pancreatic cancer in 7 cases. Chemotherapy regimens were GnP in 5 cases and mFOLFIRINOX in 5 cases. The efficacy of chemotherapy was partial response in 4 cases, stable disease in 4 cases. Human stool specimens were stored at -80°. Stool specimens and peripheral blood are currently being analyzed.

Free Research Field

膵癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

化学療法が腸内細菌叢に及ぼす影響を詳細に解明することで従来の治療にProbioticsを併用することの有用性を探索する臨床研究実施の基盤的データを収集することを目的とする。本研究の結果をもとに、化学療法施行時にプロバイオテックス投与の必要性を検討することで、難治癌のひとつである膵癌患者の治療成績向上に寄与する可能性がある。