Division of Cellular Oncology, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics

KEYWORDS

HEAD

CONTACT

Email	t.nabekura◎aichi-cc.jp (Please send a message after replacing "◎" mark with "@" mark. )
HP	Division of Immune Response Private Page

OUTLINE

We aim to investigate and elucidate the detailed mechanisms by which immune cells recognize and attack cancer cells (cancer immunity). We also aim to develop novel cancer immunotherapies and therapeutic drugs which strengthen cancer immunity. In our laboratory, we focus on the cancer immunity of immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells. Research on cancer immunity and development of cancer immunotherapy are mainly focused on immune cells called T cells. However, the therapeutic efficacy of current cancer immunotherapy is not sufficient and only a limited number of cancer types can be cured. Thus, it is necessary to develop new cancer immunotherapy that strengthens the function of immune cells involved in cancer immunity other than T cells. NK cells have the ability of attacking and eliminating cancer cells that T cells cannot eliminate so that they would be useful for the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapy. However, no established treatment currently promotes the cancer immunity of NK cells. We would like to contribute to the eradication of cancer through research on NK cells. To achieve this, we first aim to understand NK cells more deeply by elucidating the series of phenomena in which NK cells encounter cancer cells, perceive them as something to be eliminated (recognition), become able to attack cancer (activation), attack them (killing, called cytotoxicity), change their properties (differentiation), and die (cell death). Furthermore, by utilizing the knowledge gained through basic research, we aim to develop cancer immunotherapy that can cure cancer using NK cells through research and development of drugs that enhance cancer immunity of NK cells and through translational research into cancer immunotherapy using genetically modified NK cells.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. Identification and analysis of NK receptors, their ligands, and immune checkpoints, and drug discovery targeting them
2. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation and function of memory NK cells
3. Establishment of next-generation NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy

BIBLIOGRAPHY

MESSAGE

NK cells control cancer by killing only cancer cells, not normal cells. Therefore, their raison d'être is quite simple and clear. However, there are many unknown things regarding the development of NK cells, the acquisition of cytotoxic activity, the mechanism of target cell recognition, and cell differentiation, and the molecular mechanisms from when NK cells recognize target cells to when they exert the cytotoxicity are complex and difficult to understand. However, I believe that there must be a biological reason why it is complex and difficult, and also approaching the reason is the quintessence of NK cell biology. Given that NK cells play an essential role in controlling cancer, unraveling and understanding the complexity of NK cells one by one is almost synonymous with understanding NK cells themselves and NK cell-mediated cancer immunity, and ultimately leads to the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapy utilizing NK cells. We are looking for people who are interested in NK cells and can help us, those who are enthusiastic to be involved in basic research on NK cells, and those who have a mindset for translational research toward the clinical application of NK cell immunity to cancer.