Development of a new treatment approach to control fibrosis and metastasis of pancreatic cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20793
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0901:Oncology and related fields
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Tomonobu Nahoko 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 助教 (80967638)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 膵臓がん / S100A11

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor prognosis, especially cancer stromal fibroblasts, which make treatment more challenging. In our previous study, we found that S100A11 secreted by pancreatic cancer stimulates stromal fibroblasts and accelerates the progression of pancreatic cancer. We hypothesized that blockade of S100A11 and its receptor would be effective in inhibiting stromal growth and cancer invasion in pancreatic cancer, and developed an S100A11 neutralizing antibody. Our antibody attenuated the migration and invasive ability of pancreatic cancer cells and suppressed the proliferation of fibroblasts. Therefore, our findings suggest that the efficacy of S100A11 neutralizing antibody against pancreatic cancer and stromal fibroblast augmentation.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

間質細胞領域の占める割合の多い膵臓がんは、特に難治性である事が指摘されており、間質細胞を標的とした次世代型治療法の確立が望まれている。本研究成果から創出する新たな製剤S100A11中和抗体は将来的に治療困難とされる膵臓がんの革新的医薬品の創出にもつながる大きな展望がある。S100A11の関わる疾患は、がん細胞の増殖・転移のみならず、炎症の関わる種々臓器線維症、神経変性疾患、2型糖尿病性、自己免疫疾患など、広範にわたる。本研究により創出する製剤は、これら広範な疾患における病態発症と憎悪に対する共通の対策を提供することになり、その意義は極めて大きいものと考えている。