NKT cell-mediated immunotherapy in head and neck cancer and its future prospects

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  • Sakurai Daiju
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University

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  • 頭頸部癌に対するNKT免疫細胞治療と今後の展開

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Abstract

<p>Despite advances in combination treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the survival rate remains low in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A new strategy for cancer treatment is required to improve the poor prognosis and QOL impaired by the current standard treatment. NKT cells are activated by a glycolipid ligand, α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and upon activation by this ligand, the NKT cells exhibit activity against various cancers. Recently, we have shown the clinical efficacy of an NKT cell-based cancer immunotherapy for HNSCC patients, and the treatment is in progress as an advanced medical treatment targeted at the patients who have achieved complete response after standard treatment to prevent their recurrence. The low responsiveness to treatments are thought to be linked to immune system defects in cancer patients due to tumor escape mechanism such as the accumulation of immune suppressive cells; regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We have reported the accumulations of these immunosuppressive cells and the correlation with the poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. Developing a new combined strategy of cancer-induced immunosuppression-targeted therapy and NKT cells-based immunotherapy may enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve the prognosis in patients with advanced cancer.</p>

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