Adoptive Immunotherapy using the Lymphocytes transduced with Chimeric Antigen Receptor against Salivary Gland Tumor

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861526
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: KUNII Naoki 千葉大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (00456047)
• Research Collaborator: OKAMOTO Yoshitaka 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 教授 (40169157) ; CARL H. June University of Pennsylvania, Professor ; MAKITA Yuji 千葉大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (90706722)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 癌免疫 / キメラ抗原受容体 / 唾液腺癌 / 免疫療法 / 標的分子 / メソテリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are not sensitive to conventional radiotherapy or chemotherapy regimens. Therefore, the development of a new treatment strategy is of critical importance for improving the prognosis. We examined the expression of mesothelin (MSLN) molecules in SGCs and the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy based on MSLN-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T cells.
The expression of MSLN molecule was studied in SGC samples obtained from 16 patients as well as an SGC cell line (A-253) and four other cell lines. MSLN was detected in the A-253 cells and most of the surgical specimens to various degrees. Following stimulation with MSLN, MSLN-specific CAR-expressing CD8 T cells were dose-dependently activated. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of CAR T cells against MSLN-expressing cancer cells was demonstrated.
Therefore, the use of adoptive transfer with MSLN-specific CAR-expressing CD8 T cells against SGCs would be an effective therapy.

Free Research Field

免疫学