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Medical Immunology

Overview

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells show potent anti-tumor activity after activation with a specific ligand, a-galactosylceramide (aGalCer). In addition to direct cytotoxic effects, iNKT cells play a critical role in bridging both innate and acquired immunity. Therefore, the activation of iNKT cells in the tumor-bearing host inhibits tumor growth and rejects the tumor. The aim of our study is to develop an immunotherapy targeting the iNKT cell immune system for various malignant tumors. At present, we conduct several translational researches of iNKT cell-based immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer. Establishment of this new immunotherapy with minimal-invasiveness and few adverse events may improve the therapeutic outcome of lung cancer and then contribute to the health and social welfare.

Professor:
Shinichiro Motohashi, M.D., Ph.D.

TEL: +81-43-226-2828
FAX: +81-43-226-2828
e-mail: motohashi●faculty.chiba-u.jp
URL: https://www.m.chiba-u.ac.jp/dept/medical-immunology/

※　Please change "●" mark to at-mark if you send emails.

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Research & Education

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  1. Tumor immunotherapy aimed at invariant NKT cell activation
    --Molecular mechanisms of anti-tumor effects of iNKT cells
    --Induction of effective antigen presenting cells via CD1d/glycolipid
    --Detection of biomarkers for iNKT cell immunotherapy

  2. Translational research for malignant diseases
    --Lung cancer
    --Head and neck cancer
    --Other malignant neoplasm
    --Validation of cell processing procedure

Recent Publications

  • Hara, A., Koyama-Nasu, R., Takami, M., Toyoda, T., Aoki, T., Ihara, F., Kobayashi, M., Hirono, S., Matsutani, T., Nakayama, T., Iwadate, Y., Motohashi, S.: CD1d expression in glioblastoma is a promising target for NKT cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 70(5):1239-1254(2020)
  • Aoki, T., Takami, M., Takatani, T., Motoyoshi, K., Ishii, A., Hara, A., Toyoda, T., Okada, R., Hino, M., Koyama-Nasu, R., Kiuchi, M., Hirahara, K., Kimura, M.Y., Nakayama, T., Shimojo, N., and Motohashi, S.: Activated invariant natural killer T cells directly recognize leukemia cells in a CD1d-independent manner. Cancer Sci. 111(7):2223-2233(2020)
  • Toyoda, T., Kamata, T., Tanaka, K., Ihara, F., Takami, M., Suzuki, H., Nakajima, T., Ikeuchi, T., Kawasaki, Y., Hanaoka, H., Nakayama, T., Yoshino, I., and Motohashi, S.: Phase II study of α-galactosylceramide-pulsed antigen-presenting cells in patients with advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. J. Immunother. Cancer 8(1): e000316 (2020)