Experimental study for practical application of cross-sectional cancer therapy in companion animals

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03114
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: KONNAI SATORU 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (40396304)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 村田 史郎 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 助教 (10579163) ; 大橋 和彦 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 教授 (90250498)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 免疫チェックポイント / 腫瘍疾患 / イヌ / ネコ / 抗体療法 / 免疫療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our previous studies demonstrated programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) overexpression in some canine cancers, and suggested the therapeutic potential of a canine chimeric anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Thus, canine PD-L1 expression was assessed in various cancer types and the safety and efficacy of therapeutic anti-PD-L1 mAb were explored in dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma (OMM). PD-L1 expression was detected in most canine malignant cancers including OMM, and survival was significantly longer in the treatment group when compared to a historical control group. We show that PD-L1 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in dogs.

Free Research Field

獣医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、長寿命化に伴い悪性腫瘍（がん）によって命を落とすイヌが増えており、既存の治療法に加えて新たな治療戦略の開発が望まれている。ヒト医療では、外科療法・放射線療法・化学療法に加え，免疫療法の応用が進んでおり、獣医療でも同様に新規の治療法の登場が望まれている。本研究の遂行によって良好な成果が得られれば、伴侶動物における新たな腫瘍治療法の実現に資すると考えられる。