Development of new cancer therapy using IRE combined with checkpoint blockade

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07072
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Sugimoto Katsutoshi 東京医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (20385032)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 垣見 和宏 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 特任教授 (80273358)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肝細胞癌 / 穿刺局所療法 / ラジオ波焼灼療法 / 不可逆電気穿孔法 / 腫瘍免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We compared the antitumor immune effects of two different local ablation therapies: radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and irreversible electroporation (IRE), using a cancer-bearing mouse model. Both RFA and IRE treatments eliminated tumors when the primary tumor was treated and then transplanted to another site. The observation of tumor growth with the administration of anti-CD8 antibodies suggested that CD8+ lymphocytes were involved in the inhibition of tumor growth. Additionally, in models with metastasis other than the primary tumor, treatment of the primary tumor with RFA resulted in the reduction of metastatic lesions, whereas treatment with IRE led to an increase in metastatic lesions. This phenomenon was suggested to be related to the involvement of IL-6. This tumor growth was suppressed by the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Free Research Field

肝臓病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

２つの異なる穿刺局所療法：ラジオ波焼灼療法（RFA）と不可逆電気穿孔法（IRE）の両方とも長期的な腫瘍免疫を誘導することが分かり、この現象にはCD8+リンパ球が関与していることが示唆された。しかし、IREでは治療を不完全に行うと残存腫瘍が増大する可能性があり、実臨床において注意する必要がある。