Immunological effects of statin administration in gynecological cancer

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861507
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Nishio Sakiko 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 研究員 (00570011)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 腫瘍免疫 / スタチン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To release immunosuppressive microenvironment of ovarian cancer, we focused on statins. In ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell lines, cancer signal NF-kB and STAT were both suppressed by statin drugs (Simvastatin and Pitavastatin), and the production of immunosuppressive cytokine LI-6 was inhibited. Statins did not affect cell proliferation. In vivo experiment using ovarian cancer transplanted mice, the mice administered with statins is promoted CD8-positive cell infiltration into the tumor, this supported the hypothesis that statins released immunosuppression. FACS analysis of the immune cells infiltrating into transplanted tumor revealed there was no change in the infiltration number of dendritic cells nor macrophages by administration of statins. For these reasons, statins, to improve the immune suppressing environment in cancer, it was suggested to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses.

Free Research Field

婦人科腫瘍