JP7012363B2 - Biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effect of FSTL1 inhibitors in cancer patients - Google Patents

Biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effect of FSTL1 inhibitors in cancer patients Download PDF

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JP7012363B2
JP7012363B2 JP2018531930A JP2018531930A JP7012363B2 JP 7012363 B2 JP7012363 B2 JP 7012363B2 JP 2018531930 A JP2018531930 A JP 2018531930A JP 2018531930 A JP2018531930 A JP 2018531930A JP 7012363 B2 JP7012363 B2 JP 7012363B2
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fstl1
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千恵 工藤
雅義 豊浦
有希子 石田
雄二 庄屋
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    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
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    • G01N33/574Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor for cancer
    • GPHYSICS
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    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
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    • G01N33/48Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
    • G01N33/50Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
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Description

本発明は、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法、がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法、およびがん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットに関するものである。 The present invention is a method for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient, a method for determining the start of administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient, and a method for predicting the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient. It's about the kit.

コンパニオン診断は、医薬品の効果や副作用に関与するバイオマーカーを医薬品の投薬前に検査し、医薬品に対する患者個人の反応性を治療前に予測することで、最適な投薬を補助することを目的とする。検査法に制限はなく、遺伝子異常検査、遺伝子発現検査、タンパク質や代謝物質などの組織検査や血液成分検査などが用いられる。世界中の製薬企業で新規医薬品の開発と同時に、バイオマーカーによるコンパニオン診断法の開発が行われている。がん分野では、免疫チェックポイント阻害剤によるがん免疫療法、がんワクチン療法などの革新的な治療法の開発が進展しており、特定の医薬品の有効性や副作用発現の個人差を把握し、投薬妥当性や投薬量決定を補助する適切なコンパニオン診断法の確立は、今後も新規抗がん剤研究開発の益々重要な課題である。 Companion diagnostics aims to assist in optimal medication by testing biomarkers involved in drug efficacy and side effects prior to drug administration and predicting individual patient responsiveness to the drug prior to treatment. .. There are no restrictions on the test method, and gene abnormality tests, gene expression tests, tissue tests for proteins and metabolites, blood component tests, etc. are used. Pharmaceutical companies around the world are developing new drugs and at the same time developing companion diagnostics using biomarkers. In the field of cancer, the development of innovative treatment methods such as cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccine therapy is progressing, and the effectiveness of specific drugs and individual differences in the occurrence of side effects are grasped. The establishment of appropriate companion diagnostic methods to assist in dosage adequacy and dosage determination will continue to be an increasingly important issue in the research and development of new anticancer drugs.

がんが悪化する原因として免疫抑制が知られるようになり、免疫抑制を解除するとがんの効果的な治療につながるとして、免疫チェックポイント阻害剤などによるがん免疫療法の研究開発が大きく進展している。特許文献1では、免疫抑制に関与する分子の一つとしてFSTL1(Follistatin-like Protein 1)が同定され、FSTL1の阻害剤が有用な抗がん剤となり得るとの報告がなされた。これまでの研究により、FSTL1は、がん細胞およびがん関連の間葉系幹細胞(mesenchymal stem cell、以下「MSC」と記す)から分泌され、オートクラインにMSCに作用し、MSCの増殖を促進し、T細胞免疫制御系を介して免疫抑制を誘導し、癌悪化の原因となること、さらに、FSTL1は癌細胞の転移性、特に骨転移性獲得も誘導することが明らかになっている(非特許文献1)。 Immunosuppression has become known as a cause of cancer exacerbation, and it is said that releasing immunosuppression will lead to effective treatment of cancer, and research and development of cancer immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors etc. has made great progress. ing. In Patent Document 1, FSTL1 (Follistatin-like Protein 1) was identified as one of the molecules involved in immunosuppression, and it was reported that an inhibitor of FSTL1 could be a useful anticancer agent. According to previous studies, FSTL1 is secreted from cancer cells and cancer-related mesenchymal stem cells (hereinafter referred to as "MSC"), acts on the MSC in autocrine, and promotes the proliferation of MSC. However, it has been clarified that it induces immunosuppression via the T cell immunoregulatory system and causes cancer exacerbation, and that FSTL1 also induces the acquisition of cancer cell metastasis, especially bone metastasis (). Non-Patent Document 1).

FSTL1は主に関節炎の関節マトリクスにおいて分泌され、このFSTL1分泌はIL-1βにより促進されること、およびFSTL1が全身型若年性関節リウマチの有用なバイオマーカーになり得ることが報告されており(非特許文献2)、若年性関節リウマチや川崎病等の炎症性疾患のバイオマーカーとしてのFSTL1が特許出願されている(特許文献2および3)。 It has been reported that FSTL1 is secreted primarily in the arthritic joint matrix, which is promoted by IL-1β, and that FSTL1 can be a useful biomarker for systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (non-). Patent Document 2) has filed a patent application for FSTL1 as a biomarker for inflammatory diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and Kawasaki disease (Patent Documents 2 and 3).

FSTL1は、細胞膜を介する各種受容体(FSTL1受容体)に結合し、種々の生理作用に影響している(非特許文献3)。なかでも、DIP2A(disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A)は、各種組織の内皮細胞膜に存在するFSTL1受容体であり(非特許文献4)、ヒトのタンパク質発現情報データベース(Human Protein Atlas)によれば、正常組織では、平滑筋、女性生殖器、消化管など一部の組織で発現が見られ、がん組織では、大腸がん、乳がん、前立腺がん、肺ガン、肝ガンなどで検出されている。 FSTL1 binds to various receptors (FSTL1 receptors) via the cell membrane and affects various physiological actions (Non-Patent Document 3). Among them, DIP2A (disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A) is an FSTL1 receptor present in the endothelial cell membrane of various tissues (Non-Patent Document 4), and according to the human protein expression information database (Human Protein Atlas). In normal tissues, it is expressed in some tissues such as smooth muscle, female reproductive organs, and gastrointestinal tract, and in cancer tissues, it is detected in colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and the like.

がん治療の課題のひとつは、発見された腫瘍について、転移性の高い悪性腫瘍かどうかを生検で鑑別し、原発巣ばかりでなく、転移の有無や可能性も踏まえて、適切な治療方針を決定することである。FSTL1阻害剤である抗FSTL1抗体は、免疫破綻を誘導するMSCを阻害するばかりでなく、癌細胞の転移を阻害することから、転移しやすい悪性腫瘍に対する効果的な抗がん剤となることが期待されている。さらに、抗FSTL1抗体によるがん治療薬開発に伴い、抗FSTL1抗体による治療の有効性等のコンパニオン診断に有用なバイオマーカーの開発が強く望まれている。 One of the challenges of cancer treatment is to differentiate the found tumor by biopsy whether it is a highly metastatic malignant tumor, and to take into consideration not only the primary tumor but also the presence or absence of metastasis and the possibility of metastasis. Is to determine. The anti-FSTL1 antibody, which is an FSTL1 inhibitor, not only inhibits MSC that induces immune breakdown, but also inhibits the metastasis of cancer cells, so that it can be an effective anticancer agent for malignant tumors that easily metastasize. It is expected. Furthermore, with the development of cancer therapeutic agents using anti-FSTL1 antibody, the development of biomarkers useful for companion diagnostics such as the effectiveness of treatment with anti-FSTL1 antibody is strongly desired.

国際公開第2009/028411号International Publication No. 2009/028411 国際公開第2009/097424号International Publication No. 2009/097444 国際公開第2012/019099号International Publication No. 2012/019999

Chie Kudo-Saito et al. Targeting FSTL1 Prevents Tumor Bone Metastasis and Consequent Immune Dysfunction. Cancer Rec. 2013 Oct 15; 73 (20): 6185-93.Chie Kudo-Saito et al. Targeting FSTL1 Prevents Tumor Bone Metastasis and Consequent Immune Dysfunction. Cancer Rec. 2013 Oct 15; 73 (20): 6185-93. David C. Wilson et al. Follistatin-like-protein-1 is a mesenchyme-derived inflammatory protein and may represent a biomarker for systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010 August ; 62(8): 2510-2516.David C. Wilson et al. Follistatin-like-protein-1 is a mesenchyme-derived inflammatory protein and may represent a biomarker for systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010 August; 62 (8): 2510-2516. M. Sylva et al. Follistatin-like 1 in Vertebrate Development. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 99:61-69 (2013)M. Sylva et al. Follistatin-like 1 in Vertebrate Development. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 99: 61-69 (2013) Ouchi N, Asaumi Y, Ohashi K et al. DIP2A functions as a FSTL1 receptor, J Biol Chem, 2010; 285: 7127-7134.Ouchi N, Asaumi Y, Ohashi K et al. DIP2A functions as a FSTL1 receptor, J Biol Chem, 2010; 285: 7127-7134.

本発明は、FSTL1阻害剤による治療効果が期待できるがん患者を選択するためのコンパニオン診断に有用なバイオマーカーを見出し、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法、がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法、およびがん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットを提供することを課題とする。 The present invention finds a biomarker useful for companion diagnostics for selecting a cancer patient who can be expected to have a therapeutic effect by an FSTL1 inhibitor, and predicts a therapeutic effect by an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining the start of administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor and a kit for predicting the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient.

本発明は、上記の課題を解決するために以下の各発明を包含する。
[1]がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法であって、
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程、
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程、および
(3)測定値が基準値より高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定する工程、
を含むことを特徴とする方法。
[2]工程(1)において、FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現レベルを測定することを特徴とする前記[1]に記載の方法。
[3]試料が、患者のがん細胞を含む試料または患者の血液である前記[1]または[2]に記載の方法。
[4]患者のがん細胞を含む試料が、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織である前記[3]に記載の方法。
[5]工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中FSTL1濃度を測定することを特徴とする前記[1]に記載の方法。
[6]工程(1)において、発現レベルを免疫組織化学的に測定することを特徴とする前記[1]~[5]のいずれかに記載の方法。
[7]がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法であって、
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程、
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程、および
(3’)測定値が基準値より高い場合にFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する工程、
を含むことを特徴とする方法。
[8]工程(1)において、FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現レベルを測定することを特徴とする前記[7]に記載の方法。
[9]試料が、患者のがん細胞を含む試料または患者の血液である前記[7]または[8]に記載の方法。
[10]患者のがん細胞を含む試料が、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織である前記[9]に記載の方法。
[11]工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中FSTL1濃度を測定することを特徴とする前記[7]に記載の方法。
[12]工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中DIP2A可溶型濃度を測定することを特徴とする前記[7]に記載の方法。
[13]工程(1)において、発現レベルを免疫組織化学的に測定することを特徴とする前記[7]~[12]のいずれかに記載の方法。
[14]がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットであって、患者から採取した試料中のFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬を含むキット。
[15]前記試薬が、抗FSTL1抗体、抗DIP2A抗体、FSTL1のRT-PCR用プライマーセットおよびDIP2AのRT-PCR用プライマーセットから選択される1種又は2種以上を含む前記[14]に記載のキット。
The present invention includes the following inventions in order to solve the above problems.
[1] A method for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient.
(1) A step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a sample collected from a patient,
(2) A step of comparing the measured value with the reference value, and (3) a step of determining that a therapeutic effect can be expected when the measured value is higher than the reference value.
A method characterized by including.
[2] The method according to the above [1], which comprises measuring the expression level of both FSTL1 and DIP2A in the step (1).
[3] The method according to the above [1] or [2], wherein the sample is a sample containing cancer cells of a patient or blood of a patient.
[4] The method according to the above [3], wherein the sample containing the cancer cells of the patient is a biopsy cancer tissue or a cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery.
[5] In the step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood FSTL1 concentration are measured. ] The method described in.
[6] The method according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the expression level is measured immunohistochemically in the step (1).
[7] A method for determining the start of administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient.
(1) A step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a sample collected from a patient,
(2) a step of comparing the measured value with the reference value, and (3') a step of determining the start of administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor when the measured value is higher than the reference value.
A method characterized by including.
[8] The method according to the above [7], wherein in the step (1), the expression levels of both FSTL1 and DIP2A are measured.
[9] The method according to the above [7] or [8], wherein the sample is a sample containing a cancer cell of a patient or blood of a patient.
[10] The method according to the above [9], wherein the sample containing the cancer cells of the patient is a biopsy cancer tissue or a cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery.
[11] In the step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood FSTL1 concentration are measured. ] The method described in.
[12] In step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood DIP2A soluble type concentration are measured. The method according to the above [7].
[13] The method according to any one of [7] to [12] above, wherein the expression level is measured immunohistochemically in step (1).
[14] A kit for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient, which comprises a reagent for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a sample collected from the patient.
[15] The reagent according to the above [14], wherein the reagent contains one or more selected from an anti-FSTL1 antibody, an anti-DIP2A antibody, a primer set for RT-PCR of FSTL1 and a primer set for RT-PCR of DIP2A. Kit.

本発明はまた、以下の態様も包含する。
[16]がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するための、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの使用。
[17]がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定するための、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの使用。
[18]がん患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定することを特徴とする、がんに対するFSTL1阻害剤の治療効果に関する情報を提供する方法。
[19]がん患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定することを特徴とする、前記がん患者にFSTL1阻害剤投与を開始する時期の情報を提供する方法。
The present invention also includes the following aspects.
[16] Use of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A to predict the therapeutic effect of FSTL1 inhibitors in cancer patients.
[17] Use of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A to determine the initiation of administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient.
[18] A method for providing information on the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor on cancer, which comprises measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a sample collected from a cancer patient.
[19] A method for providing information on when to start administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor to the cancer patient, which comprises measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a sample collected from the cancer patient.

本発明により、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法、がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法、およびがん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットを提供することができる。 INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, a method for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient, a method for determining the start of administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient, and a method for predicting the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient. Kits can be provided.

また、本発明により、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測することが可能になることから、ひいては、がん関連疾患における治療効果も予測することが可能になる。がん関連疾患としては、がんになる可能性の高い疾患やがんを増悪する疾患であり、例えば、肥満、糖尿病、リウマチなどが挙げられる。 Further, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to predict the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient, and thus it becomes possible to predict the therapeutic effect in a cancer-related disease. Cancer-related diseases include diseases that have a high possibility of becoming cancer and diseases that exacerbate cancer, and examples thereof include obesity, diabetes, and rheumatism.

ヒト膵がん細胞株Panc1の空ベクター導入細胞株(Panc1-mock)、ヒト膵がん細胞株Panc1のSnail強制発現細胞株(Panc1-snail+)、ヒト乳がん低転移性細胞株MCF7およびヒト乳がん高骨転移性細胞株MDA231におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を免疫組織蛍光染色により解析した結果を示す図である。Empty vector-introduced cell line (Panc1-mock) of human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc1, Snail forced expression cell line (Panc1-snail +) of human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc1, human breast cancer low metastatic cell line MCF7 and human breast cancer high It is a figure which shows the result of having analyzed the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the bone metastatic cell line MDA231 by the immune tissue fluorescent staining. マウスメラノーマB16-F10の空ベクター導入細胞株(F10-mock)、マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞株(F10-snail+)、マウス大腸がん細胞株CT26およびマウス肺がん細胞株3LLにおけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を免疫組織蛍光染色により解析した結果を示す図である。With FSTL1 in mouse melanoma B16-F10 empty vector-introduced cell line (F10-mock), mouse melanoma B16-F10 Snail forced expression cell line (F10-snail +), mouse colon cancer cell line CT26 and mouse lung cancer cell line 3LL. It is a figure which shows the result of having analyzed the expression of DIP2A by the immune tissue fluorescent staining. マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、皮下腫瘍増殖に対する阻害効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the Snail forced expression cell transplantation bone metastasis model of mouse melanoma B16-F10, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on the subcutaneous tumor growth. マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、骨転移に対する効果(左)、MSC増加に対する効果(中央)および体重減少に対する抑制効果(右)を評価した結果を示す図である。Results of administration of anti-FSTL1 antibody to bone metastasis model of mouse melanoma B16-F10 forcibly expressed in Snail, and evaluation of effect on bone metastasis (left), effect on MSC increase (center) and inhibitory effect on weight loss (right) It is a figure which shows. マウス大腸がんCT26細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、皮下腫瘍増殖に対する阻害効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse colorectal cancer CT26 cell transplantation bone metastasis model, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on the subcutaneous tumor growth. マウス大腸がんCT26細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、肺転移に対する抑制効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse colorectal cancer CT26 cell transplantation bone metastasis model, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on lung metastasis. マウス肺がん3LL細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、皮下腫瘍増殖に対する阻害効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse lung cancer 3LL cell transplant bone metastasis model, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on the subcutaneous tumor growth. マウス肺がん3LL細胞移植骨転移モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、体重減少に対する抑制効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse lung cancer 3LL cell transplantation bone metastasis model, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on the weight loss. 乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がんの患者由来の組織切片におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルを免疫組織蛍光染色およびピクセルカウントにより解析した結果を示す図である。The figure which shows the result of having analyzed the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the tissue section derived from the patient of breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer by immune tissue fluorescent staining and pixel count. be. 乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がんの患者由来の組織切片におけるFSTL1発現レベルとDIP2A発現レベルの相関を解析した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having analyzed the correlation between the FSTL1 expression level and the DIP2A expression level in the tissue section derived from the patient of breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. 乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がんの患者由来の組織切片におけるFSTL1発現レベル、DIP2A発現レベルおよびFSTL1/DIP2A共発現レベルを、がんの進行ステージ別に解析した結果を示す図である。FSTL1 expression level, DIP2A expression level and FSTL1 / DIP2A co-expression level in tissue sections derived from patients with breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer are determined according to the stage of cancer progression. It is a figure which shows the analysis result. 進行期メラノーマ患者由来の腫瘍組織におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルを免疫組織蛍光染色およびピクセルカウントにより解析した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having analyzed the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the tumor tissue derived from the advanced melanoma patient by immunohistochemical fluorescence staining and pixel count. 進行期メラノーマ患者由来の腫瘍組織におけるFSTL1発現レベルとDIP2A発現レベルの相関を解析した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having analyzed the correlation between the FSTL1 expression level and the DIP2A expression level in the tumor tissue derived from the advanced melanoma patient. 各種末期がん患者(ステージIV)の血清中のFSTL1濃度を測定した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having measured the FSTL1 concentration in the serum of various terminal cancer patients (stage IV). マウス骨肉腫細胞移植モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、腫瘍増殖に対する阻害効果を評価した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse osteosarcoma cell transplantation model, and evaluated the inhibitory effect on tumor growth. マウス骨肉腫細胞移植モデルに抗FSTL1抗体を投与し、血清中のFSTL1濃度を測定した結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the result of having administered the anti-FSTL1 antibody to the mouse osteosarcoma cell transplantation model, and measured the FSTL1 concentration in serum.

本発明者らは、高転移ヒトがん細胞株および低転移ヒトがん細胞株におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を解析した結果、高転移ヒトがん細胞株においてはFSTL1とDIP2Aのいずれもが強く発現していることを見出した。したがって、高転移性のがんを検出するためのバイオマーカーとして、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現を指標とすることができることを見出した。また、抗FSTL1抗体が担がんマウスモデルにおいて奏功することが確認されているマウスがん細胞株(B16-F10、CT26および3LL)においても、FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が強く発現していることが確認された。したがって、FSTL1とDIP2Aのいずれか又は両方を高発現する、がんを発症しているがん患者に対して、抗FSTL1抗体による治療効果が期待できると考えられた。さらに、各種がん患者の血清中FSTL1濃度を測定したところ、末期の皮膚がん患者、特にメラノーマ患者の血清中FSTL1濃度が高いことが示された。これらの知見から、がん患者のがん組織におけるDIP2A発現レベルおよびFSTL1発現レベル、ならびに血清FSTL1濃度ががん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測し、FSTL1阻害剤による治療効果が期待できるがん患者を選択するためのコンパニオン診断に有用なバイオマーカーであることが明らかになった。 As a result of analyzing the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the high metastatic human cancer cell line and the low metastatic human cancer cell line, the present inventors strongly expressed both FSTL1 and DIP2A in the high metastatic human cancer cell line. I found out that I was doing it. Therefore, it has been found that the expression of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A can be used as an index as a biomarker for detecting highly metastatic cancer. In addition, both FSTL1 and DIP2A are strongly expressed in mouse cancer cell lines (B16-F10, CT26 and 3LL) for which anti-FSTL1 antibody has been confirmed to be effective in a cancer-bearing mouse model. confirmed. Therefore, it is considered that the therapeutic effect of the anti-FSTL1 antibody can be expected for cancer patients who have developed cancer and who highly express either or both of FSTL1 and DIP2A. Furthermore, when the serum FSTL1 concentration of various cancer patients was measured, it was shown that the serum FSTL1 concentration of end-stage skin cancer patients, especially melanoma patients, was high. From these findings, the DIP2A expression level and FSTL1 expression level in the cancer tissue of the cancer patient, and the serum FSTL1 concentration predict the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in the cancer patient, and the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor can be expected. It has been shown to be a useful biomarker for companion diagnostics for selecting cancer patients.

〔がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法〕
本発明は、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測する方法を提供する。本発明の治療効果予測方法は、以下の工程(1)~(3)を含むものであればよい。
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程
(3)測定値が基準値より高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定する工程
本発明の治療効果予測方法は、本発明の目的を達成できる限り、上記工程(1)~(3)以外の工程を含んでいてもよく、その内容は限定されない。
[Method of predicting the therapeutic effect of FSTL1 inhibitor in cancer patients]
The present invention provides a method for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient. The method for predicting the therapeutic effect of the present invention may include the following steps (1) to (3).
(1) Step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the sample collected from the patient (2) Step of comparing the measured value with the reference value (3) The therapeutic effect can be expected when the measured value is higher than the reference value. The process for predicting the therapeutic effect of the present invention may include steps other than the above steps (1) to (3) as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, and the content thereof is not limited.

治療効果を予測する対象のがん患者のがんの種類は特に限定されず、皮膚がん、大腸がん、乳がん、リンパ腫、肺がん、前立腺がん、腎がん、頭頸部がん、食道がん、胃がん、膵がん、肝臓がん、胆道がん、脾臓がん、膀胱がん、子宮がん、卵巣がん、精巣がん、甲状腺がん、脳中枢神経腫瘍、肉腫、白血病、多発性骨髄腫などが挙げられる。好ましくは、皮膚がん(特にメラノーマ)、大腸がん、乳がん、肺がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がんおよび膵がんである。 The type of cancer in cancer patients whose therapeutic effect is predicted is not particularly limited, and includes skin cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, and esophagus. Cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, biliary tract cancer, spleen cancer, bladder cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, testis cancer, thyroid cancer, brain central nervous system tumor, sarcoma, leukemia, frequent occurrence Examples include sex myeloma. Preferred are skin cancer (particularly melanoma), colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.

FSTL1阻害剤は、FSTL1の生物活性を低下させるものであればよく、例えばFSTL1の発現を阻害する物質、FSTL1とその受容体との結合を阻害する物質などが挙げられる。FSTL1の発現を阻害する物質としては、例えばFSTL1の発現を阻害する核酸が挙げられる。このような核酸としては、例えばFSTL1遺伝子のsiRNA(short interfering RNA)、shRNA(short hairpin RNA)、アンチセンスオリゴヌクレオチドなどが挙げられる。FSTL1とその受容体との結合を阻害する物質としては、FSTL1と特異的に結合する抗体(抗FSTL1抗体)もしくはペプチド、またはFSTL1の受容体と特異的に結合する抗体もしくはペプチドなどが挙げられる。好ましくはFSTL1とその受容体との結合を阻害する物質であり、より好ましくは抗FSTL1抗体である。 The FSTL1 inhibitor may be any substance that reduces the biological activity of FSTL1, and examples thereof include a substance that inhibits the expression of FSTL1 and a substance that inhibits the binding between FSTL1 and its receptor. Examples of the substance that inhibits the expression of FSTL1 include nucleic acids that inhibit the expression of FSTL1. Examples of such nucleic acids include siRNA (short interfering RNA), shRNA (short hairpin RNA), and antisense oligonucleotides of the FSTL1 gene. Examples of the substance that inhibits the binding between FSTL1 and its receptor include an antibody (anti-FSTL1 antibody) or peptide that specifically binds to FSTL1, or an antibody or peptide that specifically binds to the receptor of FSTL1. It is preferably a substance that inhibits the binding of FSTL1 to its receptor, and more preferably an anti-FSTL1 antibody.

工程(1)では、患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する。患者から採取した試料はFSTL1の発現レベルまたはDIP2Aの発現レベルが測定できる試料であれば特に限定されない。例えば、生検または手術により得られた組織;血液、組織液、リンパ液、骨髄、脳脊髄液、膿、粘液、鼻水、喀痰、尿、糞便、腹水、胸水等の体液類;鼻腔、気管支、皮膚、各種臓器、骨等を洗浄した後の洗浄液;透析排液などが挙げられる。好ましくは、がん細胞を含む試料または血液である。がん細胞を含む試料としては、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織が好ましい。また、工程(1)においてFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現レベルを測定する場合、FSTL1の発現レベルを測定する試料とDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する試料は、同一であっても異なるものであっても、発現レベルが測定できる試料であれば特に限定されない。例えば、FSTL1の発現レベルを測定する試料ががん細胞を含む血液であって、DIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する試料が生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織である態様が挙げられる。 In step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the sample taken from the patient is measured. The sample collected from the patient is not particularly limited as long as the sample can measure the expression level of FSTL1 or the expression level of DIP2A. For example, tissues obtained by biopsy or surgery; blood, tissue fluid, lymph, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, pus, mucus, runny nose, sputum, urine, feces, abdominal fluid, pleural fluid such as pleural fluid; nasal cavity, bronchi, skin, Cleaning fluid after cleaning various organs, bones, etc .; dialysis drainage and the like can be mentioned. Preferably, it is a sample or blood containing cancer cells. As the sample containing cancer cells, biopsy cancer tissue or cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery is preferable. Further, when the expression levels of both FSTL1 and DIP2A are measured in the step (1), the sample for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and the sample for measuring the expression level of DIP2A may be the same or different. The sample is not particularly limited as long as the expression level can be measured. For example, the sample for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 is blood containing cancer cells, and the sample for measuring the expression level of DIP2A is a biopsy cancer tissue or a cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery. Be done.

工程(1)では、FSTL1の発現レベルのみを測定してもよく、DIP2Aの発現レベルのみを測定してもよいが、FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現レベルを測定することが好ましい。両者の発現レベルを組み合わせて判断することにより、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果の予測精度が向上することが確認されている。また、FSTL1は分泌タンパク質であるため、血中FSTL1濃度によってFSTL1の発現レベルを評価することができる。したがって、FSTL1の発現レベルを測定する態様としては、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるFSTL1の発現レベルのみを測定してもよく、血中FSTL1濃度のみを測定してもよく、両方を測定してもよい。好ましくは、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるFSTL1の発現レベルと血中FSTL1濃度の両方を測定することである。なお、本明細書において、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するとは、FSTL1およびDIP2Aそのもののレベルを測定する態様であっても、それらの可溶型レベルを測定する態様であってもよい。よって、工程(1)の態様としては、FSTL1の発現レベルのみを測定する態様、血中FSTL1濃度のみを測定する態様、DIP2Aの発現レベルのみを測定する態様;FSTL1の発現レベルと血中FSTL1濃度の両方を測定する態様、FSTL1の発現レベルとDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する態様、血中FSTL1濃度とDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する態様;FSTL1の発現レベルとDIP2Aの発現レベルと血中FSTL1濃度の3種を測定する態様、FSTL1の発現レベルとDIP2Aの発現レベルと血中DIP2A可溶型濃度の3種を測定する態様が挙げられる。 In step (1), only the expression level of FSTL1 may be measured, or only the expression level of DIP2A may be measured, but it is preferable to measure the expression level of both FSTL1 and DIP2A. It has been confirmed that the accuracy of predicting the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in cancer patients is improved by making a judgment by combining the expression levels of both. Moreover, since FSTL1 is a secretory protein, the expression level of FSTL1 can be evaluated by the blood FSTL1 concentration. Therefore, as an embodiment for measuring the expression level of FSTL1, only the expression level of FSTL1 in a sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue) may be measured, or only the blood FSTL1 concentration may be measured, or both. May be measured. Preferably, both the expression level of FSTL1 and the blood FSTL1 concentration in the sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue) are measured. In addition, in this specification, measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A may be a mode of measuring the level of FSTL1 and DIP2A itself or a mode of measuring their soluble level. .. Therefore, as the embodiment of the step (1), only the expression level of FSTL1 is measured, only the blood FSTL1 concentration is measured, and only the expression level of DIP2A is measured; the expression level of FSTL1 and the FSTL1 concentration in blood. An embodiment of measuring both, an embodiment of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and the expression level of DIP2A, an embodiment of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 in blood and the expression level of DIP2A; Examples thereof include an aspect of measuring three types, an aspect of measuring the expression level of FSTL1, the expression level of DIP2A, and the aspect of measuring the blood DIP2A soluble type concentration.

がん細胞を含む試料における発現レベルを測定する方法は特に限定されず、試料中の標的タンパク質量を測定する方法、試料中の標的タンパク質をコードする遺伝子のmRNA(標的mRNA)量を測定する方法、免疫組織化学的手法を用いて発現レベルを測定する方法などを好適に用いることができる。がん細胞を含む試料としては、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織を用いることが好ましい。例えば標的タンパク質量の測定は、公知の方法で試料からタンパク質を抽出し、ウエスタンブロット法、EIA法、ELISA法、RIA法などの公知のタンパク質測定方法を用いて行うことができる。また、標的mRNA量の測定は、公知の方法で試料からRNAを抽出し、ノーザンブロット法、RT-PCR法、定量RT-PCR法、RNaseプロテクションアッセイなどの公知のmRNA量測定方法を用いて行うことができる。好ましくは、RT-PCR法または定量RT-PCR法であり、より好ましくは定量RT-PCR法である。 The method for measuring the expression level in a sample containing cancer cells is not particularly limited, and a method for measuring the amount of target protein in the sample and a method for measuring the amount of mRNA (target mRNA) of a gene encoding the target protein in the sample. , A method of measuring the expression level using an immunohistochemical method or the like can be preferably used. As the sample containing cancer cells, it is preferable to use biopsy cancer tissue or cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery. For example, the amount of target protein can be measured by extracting a protein from a sample by a known method and using a known protein measuring method such as Western blotting, EIA method, ELISA method, or RIA method. In addition, the target mRNA amount is measured by extracting RNA from the sample by a known method and using a known mRNA amount measuring method such as Northern blot method, RT-PCR method, quantitative RT-PCR method, and RNase protection assay. be able to. The RT-PCR method or the quantitative RT-PCR method is preferable, and the quantitative RT-PCR method is more preferable.

免疫組織化学的手法を用いて標的タンパク質の発現レベルを測定する場合、定法に従って組織標本を作製し、標的タンパク質に特異的に結合する抗体を用いて免疫染色を行う方法を好適に用いることができる。試料は、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織を用いることが好ましい。免疫染色は、蛍光抗体法、酵素抗体法、金属標識抗体法のいずれの方法を用いてもよいが、蛍光抗体法が好ましい。蛍光抗体法は直接法で行ってもよく、間接法で行ってもよい。蛍光抗体法で標的タンパク質を染色した場合、標本上の抗体の蛍光強度が標的タンパク質の発現レベルを示す。蛍光強度は、市販のピクセルカウンター等を用いて測定することができる。したがって、抗FSTL1抗体を用いた免疫染色によりFSTL1の発現レベルを測定することができ、抗DIP2A抗体を用いた免疫染色によりDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定することができる。また、1つの標本において、FSTL1とDIP2Aを異なる蛍光物質で標識された抗体を用いてそれぞれ蛍光免疫染色することもできる(二重染色)。組織標本における標的mRNA量の測定には、in situ hybidization法を用いることができる。 When measuring the expression level of a target protein using an immunohistochemical technique, a method of preparing a tissue specimen according to a conventional method and performing immunostaining using an antibody that specifically binds to the target protein can be preferably used. .. As the sample, it is preferable to use biopsy cancer tissue or cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery. As the immunostaining, any of a fluorescent antibody method, an enzyme antibody method, and a metal-labeled antibody method may be used, but the fluorescent antibody method is preferable. The fluorescent antibody method may be carried out by a direct method or an indirect method. When the target protein is stained by the fluorescent antibody method, the fluorescence intensity of the antibody on the sample indicates the expression level of the target protein. The fluorescence intensity can be measured using a commercially available pixel counter or the like. Therefore, the expression level of FSTL1 can be measured by immunostaining using an anti-FSTL1 antibody, and the expression level of DIP2A can be measured by immunostaining using an anti-DIP2A antibody. Further, in one specimen, FSTL1 and DIP2A can be fluorescently immunostained with antibodies labeled with different fluorescent substances (double staining). The in situ hybridization method can be used to measure the amount of target mRNA in a tissue specimen.

血中FSTL1濃度の測定は、例えば、患者から採取した血液から血清を分離し、血清中のFSTL1濃度をELISA法などの公知の方法を用いて定量することができる。血中FSTL1濃度は、転移性が高いがんに罹患し、かつ進行度が進んだ患者において高値を示すことが確認されている。それゆえ、血中FSTL1濃度の測定値を組み合わせて判定を行うことにより、転移巣におけるFSTL1阻害剤治療効果を予測することが期待できる。具体的には、例えば、原発巣を全部切除したがん患者において、切除したがん組織のFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルが高く、かつ血中FSTL1濃度も高い場合は、原発巣がすでに切除されていても転移巣に対するFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測することが期待できる。したがって、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルと血中FSTL1濃度を組み合わせて評価することにより、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果の予測精度がさらに向上すると考えられる。 The blood FSTL1 concentration can be measured, for example, by separating the serum from the blood collected from the patient and quantifying the FSTL1 concentration in the serum by using a known method such as an ELISA method. It has been confirmed that the blood FSTL1 concentration is high in patients suffering from highly metastatic cancer and having advanced progression. Therefore, it can be expected that the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor on the metastatic lesion can be predicted by making a judgment by combining the measured values of the blood FSTL1 concentration. Specifically, for example, in a cancer patient in which the primary tumor has been completely resected, if the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the resected cancer tissue is high and the blood FSTL1 concentration is also high, the primary lesion has already been resected. Even if it is, it can be expected to predict the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor on the metastatic lesion. Therefore, it is considered that the accuracy of predicting the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor in cancer patients is further improved by evaluating the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in combination with the blood FSTL1 concentration.

ヒトFSTL1およびヒトDIP2Aのアミノ酸配列およびコードする遺伝子の塩基配列は、GenBankなどの公知のデータベースから取得することができる。ヒトFSTL1をコードする遺伝子の塩基配列のNCBIアクセッション番号はNM_007085であり、ヒトFSTL1のアミノ酸配列のNCBIアクセッション番号はNP_009016である。また、ヒトDIP2Aをコードする遺伝子の塩基配列のNCBIアクセッション番号はNM_015151であり、ヒトDIP2Aのアミノ酸配列のNCBIアクセッション番号はNP_055966である。得られた塩基配列情報に基づいて、RT-PCR用のプライマーセットを設計することができる。 The amino acid sequences of human FSTL1 and human DIP2A and the base sequences of the encoding genes can be obtained from known databases such as GenBank. The NCBI accession number of the base sequence of the gene encoding human FSTL1 is NM_007085, and the NCBI accession number of the amino acid sequence of human FSTL1 is NP_909016. The NCBI accession number of the base sequence of the gene encoding human DIP2A is NM_015151, and the NCBI accession number of the amino acid sequence of human DIP2A is NP_055966. Based on the obtained base sequence information, a primer set for RT-PCR can be designed.

工程(2)では、工程(1)で得られたFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルの測定値をそれぞれの基準値と比較する。基準値には、工程(1)で同時に測定した健常者試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルの測定値を用いることができる。また、健常者試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルの蓄積された測定値(健常者蓄積データ)に基づいて任意の基準値を設定してもよい。よって、本明細書における基準値としては、健常者試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを同時に測定した測定値あるいは蓄積された測定値であってもよく、健常者の血中FSTL1濃度を同時に測定した測定値あるいは蓄積された測定値であってもよい。好ましくは、健常者蓄積データに基づいて設定された基準値を用いることである。健常者は、慢性疾患に罹患していない成人が好ましく性別は問わない。高齢でないこと(例えば20代~40代)がより好ましい。また、健常者試料としては、工程(1)で用いた患者から採取した試料と同様にして健常者から採取した試料であることが好ましい。 In step (2), the measured values of the expression levels of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A obtained in step (1) are compared with the respective reference values. As the reference value, the measured value of the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the healthy subject sample simultaneously measured in the step (1) can be used. Further, an arbitrary reference value may be set based on the accumulated measured value (healthy person accumulated data) of the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the healthy person sample. Therefore, the reference value in the present specification may be a measured value obtained by simultaneously measuring the expression levels of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in a healthy person sample or an accumulated measured value, and simultaneously the blood FSTL1 concentration of a healthy person. It may be a measured measured value or an accumulated measured value. It is preferable to use a reference value set based on the accumulated data of healthy subjects. As a healthy person, an adult who does not have a chronic disease is preferable, and the gender does not matter. It is more preferable that they are not old (for example, in their 20s to 40s). Further, the sample of a healthy person is preferably a sample collected from a healthy person in the same manner as the sample collected from the patient used in the step (1).

工程(3)では、工程(1)で得られたFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルの測定値が基準値より高い場合に、当該がん患者はFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果が期待できると判定する。例えば、血中FSTL1濃度の場合は、測定値が基準値より5倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することが好ましく、測定値が基準値より10倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することがより好ましい。例えば、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるFSTL1またはDIP2AのmRNAレベルの場合は、測定値が基準値より1.5倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することが好ましく、測定値が基準値より2倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することがより好ましい。例えば、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるFSTL1またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを免疫組織蛍光染色における蛍光強度で評価する場合は、ピクセルカウンターで測定した数値が基準値より3倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することが好ましく、基準値より6倍以上高い場合に治療効果が期待できると判定することがより好ましい。よって、本発明の治療効果予測方法とは、工程(3)での治療効果が期待できるとの判定に基づくものであり、ここで、「(FSTL1阻害剤による)治療効果が期待できる」とは、がんをFSTL1阻害剤によって治療できる可能性が有ることを意味し、測定値が基準値より高いことが明確であれば、その可能性をより正確に判断することを含む。してみれば、本発明の治療効果予測方法とは、試料提供者に、FSTL1阻害剤によるがん治療が有効な方法であるか否かの情報を提供する方法でもあり、例えば、測定値が基準値より高いことが明確な場合に、FSTL1阻害剤の投与が有効な方法であるとの情報の正確性が高くなるものである。また、試料提供者が原発巣を切除した患者である場合には、提供された試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定することで、転移の早期発見やFSTL1阻害剤による早期治療についての情報を提供することができる。さらには、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aは、初期のがんにおいて有意に発現が増強することから、FSTL1阻害剤による治療効果が期待できる初期のがん患者を精度高く選択することも可能となる。また、本発明では、試料提供者の抗がん剤投与前後の試料を用いることで、投与後の試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルが投与前の試料より高いようであれば、FSTL1阻害剤によって治療できる可能性が有ると判断することが可能となり、ひいては投与した抗がん剤の治療有効性も評価することが可能となる。 In step (3), when the measured value of the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A obtained in step (1) is higher than the reference value, it is determined that the cancer patient can expect the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor. .. For example, in the case of blood FSTL1 concentration, it is preferable to determine that the therapeutic effect can be expected when the measured value is 5 times or more higher than the reference value, and the therapeutic effect is expected when the measured value is 10 times or more higher than the reference value. It is more preferable to determine that it can be done. For example, in the case of the mRNA level of FSTL1 or DIP2A in a sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue), it is preferable to determine that a therapeutic effect can be expected when the measured value is 1.5 times or more higher than the reference value. It is more preferable to determine that the therapeutic effect can be expected when the measured value is twice or more higher than the reference value. For example, when evaluating the expression level of FSTL1 or DIP2A in a sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue) by the fluorescence intensity in immune tissue fluorescence staining, when the value measured by the pixel counter is 3 times or more higher than the reference value. It is preferable to determine that the therapeutic effect can be expected, and it is more preferable to determine that the therapeutic effect can be expected when the value is 6 times or more higher than the reference value. Therefore, the therapeutic effect prediction method of the present invention is based on the determination that the therapeutic effect in the step (3) can be expected, and here, "the therapeutic effect (by the FSTL1 inhibitor) can be expected". It means that the cancer may be treated with an FSTL1 inhibitor, and if it is clear that the measured value is higher than the reference value, it includes determining the possibility more accurately. Therefore, the method for predicting the therapeutic effect of the present invention is also a method for providing a sample provider with information on whether or not cancer treatment with an FSTL1 inhibitor is an effective method. For example, the measured value is When it is clear that the value is higher than the reference value, the accuracy of the information that the administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor is an effective method is increased. In addition, if the sample donor is a patient whose primary lesion has been resected, the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the provided sample can be measured for early detection of metastasis and early treatment with FSTL1 inhibitor. Information can be provided. Furthermore, since the expression of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A is significantly enhanced in early stage cancer, it is possible to accurately select early stage cancer patients who can be expected to have a therapeutic effect by an FSTL1 inhibitor. Further, in the present invention, by using the sample before and after administration of the anticancer drug of the sample provider, if the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the sample after administration is higher than that in the sample before administration, FSTL1 inhibition It is possible to determine that there is a possibility of treatment with the drug, and it is also possible to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the administered anticancer drug.

また、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるFSTL1の発現レベル、がん細胞(がん組織)を含む試料におけるDIP2Aの発現レベル、および血中FSTL1濃度から選ばれる2つ以上を測定した場合においては、少なくとも1つの測定値が基準値より高い場合に当該がん患者はFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果が期待できると判定することができるが、2つの測定値が基準値より高い患者はより高い治療効果が期待でき、3つの測定値が基準値より高い患者はさらに高い治療効果が期待できる。即ち、少なくとも1つの測定値が基準値より高い患者はがんをFSTL1阻害剤によって治療できる可能性が有り、2つの測定値が基準値より高い患者はがんをFSTL1阻害剤によって治療できる可能性がより高く、3つの測定値が基準値より高い患者はがんをFSTL1阻害剤によって治療できる可能性がさらに高いものである。よって、本発明は、数多ある抗がん剤の中から、当該患者が罹患するがん治療に最適な抗がん剤としてFSTL1阻害剤を選択する指標を提供するものでもある。 In addition, two or more selected from the expression level of FSTL1 in the sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue), the expression level of DIP2A in the sample containing cancer cells (cancer tissue), and the blood FSTL1 concentration were measured. In some cases, it can be determined that the cancer patient can expect the therapeutic effect of the FSTL1 inhibitor when at least one measurement value is higher than the reference value, but the patient whose two measurement values are higher than the reference value is more. A high therapeutic effect can be expected, and a patient whose three measured values are higher than the reference value can be expected to have a higher therapeutic effect. That is, patients with at least one measurement higher than the reference value may be able to treat cancer with an FSTL1 inhibitor, and patients with two measurements higher than the reference value may be able to treat cancer with an FSTL1 inhibitor. Patients with higher and higher three measurements are more likely to be able to treat cancer with FSTL1 inhibitors. Therefore, the present invention also provides an index for selecting an FSTL1 inhibitor as an optimal anticancer agent for the treatment of cancer affecting the patient from among a large number of anticancer agents.

〔がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法〕
本発明は、がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法を提供する。本発明の投与開始決定方法は、以下の工程(1)、(2)および(3’)を含むものであればよい。
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程
(3’)測定値が基準値より高い場合にFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する工程
[Method of deciding to start administration of FSTL1 inhibitor to cancer patients]
The present invention provides a method of determining the initiation of administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient. The method for determining the start of administration of the present invention may include the following steps (1), (2) and (3').
(1) Step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A in the sample collected from the patient (2) Step of comparing the measured value with the reference value (3') When the measured value is higher than the reference value, the FSTL1 inhibitor Steps to determine the start of administration

本発明の投与開始決定方法は、工程(3’)において測定値が基準値より高いと判定した場合、可能な限り速やかにFSTL1阻害剤の投与を開始することが好ましく、直ちにFSTL1阻害剤の投与を開始することがより好ましい。本発明の投与開始決定方法は、上記本発明の治療効果予測方法と実質的に同様にして実施することができる。したがって、重複を避けるため、本発明の投与開始決定方法の説明を省略する。 In the method for determining the start of administration of the present invention, when it is determined in step (3') that the measured value is higher than the reference value, it is preferable to start the administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor as soon as possible, and immediately administer the FSTL1 inhibitor. It is more preferable to start. The method for determining the start of administration of the present invention can be carried out in substantially the same manner as the above-mentioned method for predicting the therapeutic effect of the present invention. Therefore, in order to avoid duplication, the description of the administration start determination method of the present invention will be omitted.

〔キット〕
本発明は、がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットを提供する。本発明のキットは、FSTL1および/またはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定することから、FSTL1の発現レベルを測定するための試薬、DIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬のいずれか又は両者を含むものであればよく、好ましくはDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬を含むものであればよい。DIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬としては、例えば、抗DIP2A抗体およびDIP2AのRT-PCR用プライマーセットが挙げられる。本発明のキットは、これらの一方または両方を含むことが好ましい。抗DIP2A抗体は免疫組織染色に使用することができ、プライマーセットはDIP2A mRNAの定量に使用することができる。
〔kit〕
The present invention provides a kit for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient. Since the kit of the present invention measures the expression level of FSTL1 and / or DIP2A, it contains one or both of a reagent for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and a reagent for measuring the expression level of DIP2A. Anything may be sufficient, preferably one containing a reagent for measuring the expression level of DIP2A. Reagents for measuring the expression level of DIP2A include, for example, anti-DIP2A antibody and primer set for RT-PCR of DIP2A. The kit of the present invention preferably contains one or both of these. Anti-DIP2A antibodies can be used for immunohistochemical staining and primer sets can be used for quantification of DIP2A mRNA.

本発明のキットに抗DIP2A抗体を含む場合には、これ以外に二次抗体、ブロッキング用試薬、洗浄用バッファー、取扱説明書等を含むことが好ましい。本発明のキットにDIP2AのRT-PCR用プライマーセットを含む場合は、これ以外に、DNA合成酵素、DNA合成酵素の基質となるヌクレオチド、増幅用反応液、反応用チューブ、試料調製用試薬類、取扱説明書等を含むことが好ましい。 When the kit of the present invention contains an anti-DIP2A antibody, it is preferable to include a secondary antibody, a blocking reagent, a washing buffer, an instruction manual, and the like. When the kit of the present invention includes a primer set for RT-PCR of DIP2A, in addition to this, DNA synthase, nucleotides used as a substrate for DNA synthase, reaction solution for amplification, reaction tube, reagents for sample preparation, etc. It is preferable to include an instruction manual and the like.

本発明のキットには、さらに、がん細胞またはがん組織におけるFSTL1の発現レベルを測定するための試薬および/または血中FSTL1濃度を測定するための試薬を含むことが好ましい。このような試薬としては、抗FSTL1抗体およびFSTL1のRT-PCR用プライマーセットが挙げられる。本発明のキットは、上記DIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬に加えて、これらの一方または両方を含むことが好ましい。抗DIP2A抗体は免疫組織染色および血中FSTL1濃度の測定に使用することができ、プライマーセットはDIP2A mRNAの定量に使用することができる。 The kit of the present invention preferably further contains a reagent for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 in cancer cells or cancer tissue and / or a reagent for measuring blood FSTL1 concentration. Examples of such reagents include anti-FSTL1 antibody and FSTL1 RT-PCR primer set. The kit of the present invention preferably contains one or both of these in addition to the reagent for measuring the expression level of DIP2A. Anti-DIP2A antibodies can be used for immunohistochemical staining and measurement of blood FSTL1 concentration, and primer sets can be used for quantification of DIP2A mRNA.

本発明のキットは、上記本発明のがん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定する方法の実施にも、好適に用いることができる。したがって、本発明のキットは、がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始を決定するためのキットと換言することができる。 The kit of the present invention can also be suitably used for carrying out the method for determining the start of administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor to the cancer patient of the present invention. Therefore, the kit of the present invention can be paraphrased as a kit for determining the start of administration of the FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient.

以下、実施例により本発明を詳細に説明するが、本発明はこれらに限定されるものではない。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

〔実施例1:高転移ヒトがん細胞株および低転移ヒトがん細胞株におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現解析〕
(1)実験方法
PE標識FSTL1抗体と、DIP2A抗体(Santa Cruz;FITC標識二次抗体を併用)を用いて、以下の4種のヒト腫瘍細胞株を免疫染色し、FSTL1とDIP2Aの発現の有無および発現分布を免疫組織化学的に解析した。
1.ヒト膵がん細胞株Panc1の空ベクター導入細胞株(Panc1-mock)
2.ヒト膵がん細胞株Panc1のSnail強制発現細胞株(Panc1-snail+)
3.ヒト乳がん低転移性細胞株MCF7
4.ヒト乳がん高骨転移性細胞株MDA231
[Example 1: Expression analysis of FSTL1 and DIP2A in high metastatic human cancer cell lines and low metastatic human cancer cell lines]
(1) Experimental method Using PE-labeled FSTL1 antibody and DIP2A antibody (Santa Cruz; combined with FITC-labeled secondary antibody), the following four types of human tumor cell lines were immunostained, and the presence or absence of expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A was observed. And the expression distribution was analyzed immunohistochemically.
1. 1. Empty vector-introduced cell line of human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc1 (Panc1-mock)
2. 2. Snail forced expression cell line of human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc1 (Panc1-snail +)
3. 3. Human Breast Cancer Low Metastatic Cell Line MCF7
4. Human Breast Cancer High Bone Metastatic Cell Line MDA231

まず、マイクロスライドチャンバー(日本ジェネティクス社、品番ib-80821)を用いて、2×10個/300μL/wellの腫瘍細胞を10%FCS含有DMEM培地で播種・培養し、その2日後に培養上清を捨て、細胞内に存在するFSTL1を染色するためにBD Cytofix/Cytoperm solution(BD Pharmingen社、品番554714)を加え、室温で20分間処理して細胞膜の透過性を高めた。これを捨てた後、BD Perm/Wash buffer(BD Pharmingen社、品番554723)で希釈した1μg/mLの抗DIP2A抗体(Santa Cruz社、品番sc-67556)を200μL/well加え、室温で1時間反応させた。その後、抗体液を捨ててPBSを加えて細胞を洗浄し、そこにBD Perm/Wash bufferで希釈した1μg/mLのPE標識FSTL1抗体(抗FSTL1抗体をDOJINDO社のR-Phycoerythrin Labeling Kit - NH2、品番LK23 を用いてPE標識した抗体)を200μL/well加え、室温で1時間反応させた。その後、抗体液を捨ててPBSを加えて細胞を洗浄し、そこに4%PFA/PBSを200μL/well加えて室温で15分間処理して細胞を固定し、これを捨てて、200μL/wellのVectashield Mounting Medium(Vector Laboratories社、品番H-1000)を入れて封入した。染色した細胞は、共焦点レーザスキャン顕微鏡(Carl Zeiss社、品番LSM700)下で観察し、写真を撮影した。First, using a microslide chamber (Nippon Genetics Co., Ltd., product number ib-80821), 2 × 10 4 cells / 300 μL / well tumor cells are seeded and cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% FCS, and then cultured 2 days later. The supernatant was discarded, BD Cytofix / Cytoperm solution (BD Pharmingen, product number 554714) was added to stain FSTL1 present in the cells, and the cells were treated at room temperature for 20 minutes to increase the permeability of the cell membrane. After discarding this, 200 μL / well of 1 μg / mL anti-DIP2A antibody (Santa Cruz, product number sc-67556) diluted with BD Perm / Wash buffer (BD Pharmingen, product number 554723) was added, and the reaction was carried out at room temperature for 1 hour. I let you. After that, the antibody solution was discarded, PBS was added to wash the cells, and 1 μg / mL PE-labeled FSTL1 antibody diluted with BD Perm / Wash buffer (anti-FSTL1 antibody was added to DOJINDO's R-Phycoerythrin Labeling Kit --NH2, An antibody labeled with PE using product number LK23) was added at 200 μL / well and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, discard the antibody solution, add PBS to wash the cells, add 200 μL / well of 4% PFA / PBS, treat at room temperature for 15 minutes to fix the cells, discard this, and discard 200 μL / well. Vector Cleaning Medium (Vector Laboratories, product number H-1000) was placed and encapsulated. The stained cells were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope (Carl Zeiss, product number LSM700) and photographed.

(2)結果
図1にDAPI核染色を除いたFSTL1とDIP2Aの二重染色像を示した。Panc1-mock(上段左)では、DIP2A陽性細胞がわずかに含まれていたが、FSTL1は一部の細胞の核内でかすかな染色が観察されただけであった。一方、Panc1-Snail+(上段右)では、ほぼ全ての細胞でFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が強陽性を示した。DIP2Aは、基本的には細胞膜上に発現していたが、核周辺部にFSTL1とともに集積しており、これが一部の細胞では核内でも観察された。これは、細胞外に分泌されたFSTL1がDIP2Aに結合し、細胞内に取り込まれて核周辺に移行したと推測され、DIP2Aを介したシグナル伝達上、極めて重要な現象と考えられる。
(2) Results Figure 1 shows a double-stained image of FSTL1 and DIP2A excluding DAPI nuclear staining. Panc1-mock (upper left) contained a small amount of DIP2A-positive cells, but FSTL1 showed only faint staining in the nuclei of some cells. On the other hand, in Panc1-Snail + (upper right), both FSTL1 and DIP2A showed strong positives in almost all cells. Although DIP2A was basically expressed on the cell membrane, it was accumulated together with FSTL1 in the peripheral part of the nucleus, and this was also observed in the nucleus in some cells. It is presumed that FSTL1 secreted extracellularly binds to DIP2A, is taken up into the cell and migrates to the periphery of the nucleus, and is considered to be an extremely important phenomenon for signal transduction via DIP2A.

一方、低転移性のMCF7(下段左)では、一部の細胞の核内でFSTL1がわずかに陽性を示したが、DIP2Aはほとんど観察されなかった。一方、高骨転移性のMDA231(下段右)では、Panc1のSnail強制発現細胞株より若干弱いものの、ほぼ全ての細胞でFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が強陽性を示した。ただし、FSTL1とDIP2Aの二重染色分子は核周辺部に集積していたものの、Panc1のSnail強制発現細胞株のように核の片側で濃厚な染色パターンを示すのではなく、核の片側あるいは周辺にまんべんなく散在するドット状を呈した。この理由は、Panc1のSnail強制発現細胞株に比べてMDA231のFSTL1産生量が少ないためと推測される。 On the other hand, in low metastatic MCF7 (lower left), FSTL1 was slightly positive in the nucleus of some cells, but DIP2A was hardly observed. On the other hand, in MDA231 (lower right) with high bone metastasis, both FSTL1 and DIP2A showed strong positivity in almost all cells, although it was slightly weaker than the Snail forced expression cell line of Panc1. However, although the double-stained molecules of FSTL1 and DIP2A were accumulated in the peripheral part of the nucleus, they did not show a rich staining pattern on one side of the nucleus as in the Snail forced expression cell line of Panc1, but on one side or the periphery of the nucleus. It showed dots that were evenly scattered. It is presumed that the reason for this is that the amount of FSTL1 produced by MDA231 is smaller than that of Panc1's forced Snail expression cell line.

以上の結果から、FSTL1とDIP2Aは、共に高発現することが高増殖性や高転移性を特徴とするがんの悪性形質(または難治性形質)、例えば、骨転移性を含めた転移性を制御する上で重要であることが示唆された。 From the above results, both FSTL1 and DIP2A are characterized by high proliferative and highly metastatic cancer malignant traits (or refractory traits), for example, metastatic traits including bone metastasis. It was suggested that it is important for control.

〔実施例2:担がんモデルで抗FSTL1抗体が奏功するマウスがん細胞株のFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現解析〕
(1)実験方法
インビボ薬効評価(参考例参照)で使用している以下の4種のマウス腫瘍細胞株におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を免疫組織化学的に解析した。
1.マウスメラノーマB16-F10の空ベクター導入細胞株(F10-mock)
2.マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞株(F10-snail+)
3.マウス大腸がん細胞株CT26
4.マウス肺がん細胞株3LL
実施例1と同じPE標識FSTL1抗体とDIP2A抗体(Santa Cruz;FITC標識二次抗体を併用)を用い、実施例1と同じ方法で免疫染色および観察を行った。
[Example 2: Expression analysis of FSTL1 and DIP2A in mouse cancer cell lines for which anti-FSTL1 antibody is effective in a cancer-bearing model]
(1) Experimental method The expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the following four mouse tumor cell lines used in the in vivo drug efficacy evaluation (see reference example) was analyzed immunohistochemically.
1. 1. Empty vector-introduced cell line of mouse melanoma B16-F10 (F10-mock)
2. 2. Mouse melanoma B16-F10 Snail forced expression cell line (F10-snail +)
3. 3. Mouse colorectal cancer cell line CT26
4. Mouse lung cancer cell line 3LL
Using the same PE-labeled FSTL1 antibody and DIP2A antibody (Santa Cruz; combined with FITC-labeled secondary antibody) as in Example 1, immunostaining and observation were performed in the same manner as in Example 1.

(2)結果
結果を図2に示した。F10-mockには、ごく低いレベルのDIP2Aと核近傍にFSTL1を発現する細胞が少数存在することが観察された。一方、F10-Snail+では、全ての細胞でFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が高発現していることが観察された。また、CT26と3LLにもFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が高発現していることを今回初めて確認した。特に、3LLの細胞質内は、FSTL1と結合して細胞内に取り込まれたと考えられるDIP2Aで満たされており、DIP2A下流のシグナル伝達系が活性化していると推測された。
(2) Results The results are shown in FIG. It was observed that in F10-mock, very low levels of DIP2A and a small number of cells expressing FSTL1 in the vicinity of the nucleus were present. On the other hand, in F10-Snail +, it was observed that both FSTL1 and DIP2A were highly expressed in all cells. It was also confirmed for the first time that both FSTL1 and DIP2A were highly expressed in CT26 and 3LL. In particular, the intracellular cytoplasm of 3LL was filled with DIP2A, which was considered to be bound to FSTL1 and taken up into the cell, and it was speculated that the signal transduction system downstream of DIP2A was activated.

〔参考例1:マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞移植骨転移モデルを用いた抗FSTL1抗体の薬効評価〕
(1)実験方法
マウスメラノーマB16-F10のSnail強制発現細胞をC57BL/6Nマウスの皮下および静脈内に移植した骨転移モデルを用いて、抗腫瘍効果および免疫抑制解除効果を解析した。
(1-1)実験群(n=5)
1. No treatment (0.9% NaCl as a sham)
2. Control IgG (anti-DNP)
3. Anti-FSTL1 Clone #6-55
4. Anti-FSTL1 Clone #7-34
5. Anti-FSTL1 Clone #8-1
(1-2)実験手順
Snail陽性腫瘍細胞をマウスの皮下および静脈内へ移植すると、様々な臓器の他、骨髄に優位に転移し、これが骨髄を起点とした間葉系幹細胞(MSC)の増加を招いて全身的に強く抗腫瘍免疫の誘導が抑制されてしまうことが知られている(Cancer Research 73:6185,2013)。そこで、GFP遺伝子とマウスSnail遺伝子を導入して強制発現させたGFP陽性Snail陽性B16-F10腫瘍細胞を、C57BL/6Nマウスの皮下に5×10個、および尾静脈内に1×10個移植し(Day0)、その5日後(Day5)および10日後(Day10)に生理食塩水で1mg/mLに調製した抗FSTL1抗体(#6-55、#7-34、#8-1)またはそのアイソタイプであるマウスIgG(抗DNP抗体)をコントロール抗体として10mg/kgの用量で腹腔内投与した。無処置群には生理食塩水を腹腔内投与した。細胞移植14日後(Day14)に各種免疫学的アッセイを行った。細胞移植7、11、14日後に皮下腫瘍径を測定して腫瘍体積を算出し、皮下腫瘍増殖に対する阻害効果を評価した。アッセイとしては、骨髄細胞中のGFP陽性Snail陽性B16-F10腫瘍細胞数の測定、骨髄細胞中のCD45陰性細胞数の測定および体重測定を行った。
[Reference Example 1: Evaluation of efficacy of anti-FSTL1 antibody using a model of bone metastasis of mouse melanoma B16-F10 forcibly expressed in Nail]
(1) Experimental method The antitumor effect and immunosuppressive release effect were analyzed using a bone metastasis model in which Nail forced expression cells of mouse melanoma B16-F10 were transplanted subcutaneously and intravenously in C57BL / 6N mice.
(1-1) Experimental group (n = 5)
1. No treatment (0.9% NaCl as a sham)
2. Control IgG (anti-DNP)
3. Anti-FSTL1 Clone # 6-55
4. Anti-FSTL1 Clone # 7-34
5. Anti-FSTL1 Clone # 8-1
(1-2) Experimental procedure When Snail-positive tumor cells are transplanted subcutaneously and intravenously into mice, they metastasize predominantly to bone marrow as well as various organs, which increases mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) originating from bone marrow. It is known that the induction of antitumor immunity is strongly suppressed systemically (Cancer Research 73: 6185, 2013). Therefore, GFP-positive Snail-positive B16-F10 tumor cells in which the GFP gene and the mouse Snail gene were introduced and forcibly expressed were 5 × 10 5 subcutaneously in C57BL / 6N mice and 1 × 10 5 in the tail vein. Anti-FSTL1 antibody (# 6-55, # 7-34, # 8-1) or an anti-FSTL1 antibody (# 6-55, # 7-34, # 8-1) prepared at 1 mg / mL with physiological saline 5 days (Day 5) and 10 days (Day 10) after transplantation (Day 0). An isotype of mouse IgG (anti-DNP antibody) was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 10 mg / kg as a control antibody. Physiological saline was intraperitoneally administered to the untreated group. Various immunological assays were performed 14 days after cell transplantation (Day 14). After 7, 11 and 14 days of cell transplantation, the subcutaneous tumor diameter was measured to calculate the tumor volume, and the inhibitory effect on subcutaneous tumor growth was evaluated. As an assay, the number of GFP-positive Snail-positive B16-F10 tumor cells in bone marrow cells was measured, the number of CD45-negative cells in bone marrow cells was measured, and the body weight was measured.

(2)結果
図3に抗FSTL1抗体による抗腫瘍効果の結果を示した。使用した3種類の抗FSTL1抗体のいずれも、コントロール抗体に対して有意に皮下腫瘍の増殖を抑制した。なお、図中、括弧内の数値は無処置群と比較した場合のP値であり、横線のところに示した数値は、横線の一端がある群と他端がある群間で細胞移植14日後に比較した場合のP値を示す。
図4に骨転移に対する効果(左:骨髄中のGFP陽性Snail陽性B16-F10腫瘍細胞数)の結果、MSC増加に対する効果(中央:骨髄中のCD45陰性細胞数)の結果、体重減少に対する効果(右)を示した。抗FSTL1抗体の#6-55および#8-1は、体重減少抑制効果を示した。また、3種類の抗FSTL1抗体のいずれもMSCを減少させ、骨転移抑制効果を示した。
(2) Results Figure 3 shows the results of the antitumor effect of the anti-FSTL1 antibody. All of the three anti-FSTL1 antibodies used significantly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors relative to the control antibody. In the figure, the values in parentheses are P-values when compared with the untreated group, and the values shown at the horizontal lines are the 14 days of cell transplantation between the group with one end of the horizontal line and the group with the other end. The P value when compared later is shown.
FIG. 4 shows the effect on bone metastasis (left: the number of GFP-positive Snail-positive B16-F10 tumor cells in the bone marrow), the effect on the increase in MSC (center: the number of CD45-negative cells in the bone marrow), and the effect on weight loss (the number of CD45-negative cells in the bone marrow). Right) was shown. Anti-FSTL1 antibodies # 6-55 and # 8-1 showed a weight loss inhibitory effect. In addition, all three types of anti-FSTL1 antibodies reduced MSC and showed an effect of suppressing bone metastasis.

〔参考例2:マウス大腸がんCT26細胞移植肺転移モデルを用いた抗FSTL1抗体の薬効評価〕
(1)実験方法
マウス大腸がんCT26細胞をBALB/cマウスの皮下および静脈内に移植した骨転移モデルを用いて、抗腫瘍効果および抗転移効果を解析した。抗FSTL1抗体としてクローン#6-55を用いた。実験は参考例1と同じ手順で行った。評価は、皮下腫瘍増殖と肺転移について行った。肺転移の評価は肺における腫瘍結節数を肉眼的に計数した。
[Reference Example 2: Evaluation of efficacy of anti-FSTL1 antibody using a mouse colorectal cancer CT26 cell transplant lung metastasis model]
(1) Experimental method The antitumor effect and antimetastasis effect were analyzed using a bone metastasis model in which mouse colon cancer CT26 cells were transplanted subcutaneously and intravenously into BALB / c mice. Clone # 6-55 was used as the anti-FSTL1 antibody. The experiment was carried out in the same procedure as in Reference Example 1. Evaluation was performed on subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastases. The assessment of lung metastases was a gross count of the number of tumor nodules in the lung.

(2)結果
図5に抗腫瘍効果の結果を示し、図6に抗転移効果の結果を示した。抗FSTL1抗体(#6-55)はCT26皮下腫瘍の増殖および肺転移を極めて強く抑制した。具体的には5匹中3匹のマウスで固形腫瘍は消失し、肺転移結節数も極わずかであった(コントロール抗体群の平均結節数14個に対して抗FSTL1抗体群の結節数は0~3個)。なお、図5中、横線のところに示した数値は、横線の一端がある群と他端がある群間で細胞移植14日後に比較した場合のP値を示す。
(2) Results Figure 5 shows the results of the antitumor effect, and FIG. 6 shows the results of the antimetastasis effect. Anti-FSTL1 antibody (# 6-55) extremely strongly suppressed the growth and lung metastasis of CT26 subcutaneous tumors. Specifically, solid tumors disappeared in 3 out of 5 mice, and the number of lung metastatic nodules was extremely small (the average number of nodules in the control antibody group was 14, whereas the number of nodules in the anti-FSTL1 antibody group was 0. ~ 3). In FIG. 5, the numerical value shown at the horizontal line indicates the P value when compared 14 days after cell transplantation between the group having one end of the horizontal line and the group having the other end.

〔参考例3:マウス肺がん3LL細胞移植肺転移モデルを用いた抗FSTL1抗体の薬効評価〕
(1)実験方法
マウス肺がん3LL細胞をBALB/cマウスの皮下および静脈内に移植した骨転移モデルを用いて、抗腫瘍効果および抗転移効果を解析した。抗FSTL1抗体としてクローン#6-55を用いた。実験は参考例1と同じ手順で行った。評価は、皮下腫瘍増殖と体重について行った。また、腫瘍臓器への転移の有無を肉眼的に観察した。
[Reference Example 3: Evaluation of efficacy of anti-FSTL1 antibody using mouse lung cancer 3LL cell transplanted lung metastasis model]
(1) Experimental method The antitumor effect and antimetastasis effect were analyzed using a bone metastasis model in which 3LL cells of mouse lung cancer were transplanted subcutaneously and intravenously in BALB / c mice. Clone # 6-55 was used as the anti-FSTL1 antibody. The experiment was carried out in the same procedure as in Reference Example 1. Evaluation was performed on subcutaneous tumor growth and body weight. In addition, the presence or absence of metastasis to tumor organs was visually observed.

(2)結果
図7に抗腫瘍効果の結果を示し、図8に体重減少に対する効果の結果を示した。抗FSTL1抗体(#6-55)は3LL皮下腫瘍の増殖を強く抑制した。具体的には5匹中2匹のマウスで固形腫瘍は消失した。また、いずれの臓器においても肉眼的に転移は観察されなかった。抗FSTL1抗体群では体重減少や痩せ、毛羽立ちなどは一切観察されず、全マウスが元気であった。
(2) Results Figure 7 shows the results of the antitumor effect, and FIG. 8 shows the results of the effect on weight loss. The anti-FSTL1 antibody (# 6-55) strongly suppressed the growth of 3LL subcutaneous tumors. Specifically, the solid tumor disappeared in 2 out of 5 mice. In addition, no metastasis was observed macroscopically in any of the organs. In the anti-FSTL1 antibody group, no weight loss, thinning, or fluffing was observed, and all the mice were fine.

実施例2および参考例1、2、3の結果から、FSTL1およびDIP2Aを高発現しているマウスがん細胞を移植したマウスモデルに対して、抗FSTL1抗体は抗腫瘍効果を有することが確認できた。実施例1において、転移性の高いヒトがん細胞にはFSTL1とDIP2Aの両方が高発現していることが確認されたことから、このようなFSTL1およびDIP2Aを高発現するがんを発症しているがん患者に対して、抗FSTL1抗体は治療効果を有することが期待できる。 From the results of Example 2 and Reference Examples 1, 2 and 3, it can be confirmed that the anti-FSTL1 antibody has an antitumor effect on a mouse model transplanted with mouse cancer cells highly expressing FSTL1 and DIP2A. rice field. In Example 1, it was confirmed that both FSTL1 and DIP2A were highly expressed in highly metastatic human cancer cells. Therefore, such cancers having high expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A were developed. Anti-FSTL1 antibody can be expected to have a therapeutic effect on cancer patients.

〔実施例3:様々ながん種の患者由来腫瘍組織のFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現解析〕
(1)実験方法
抗FSTL1抗体の適用がん種を検討するために、市販の様々ながん種の患者由来腫瘍組織切片(下記参照)を用いて、FSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルを免疫組織化学的に解析した。組織切片は、キシレンおよびエタノールを用いて脱パラフィン処置後、抗原を賦活化させるために0.1%トリプシンで37℃30分間処理し、その後、非特異的な染色を抑止するために20%ImmunoBlock(DS Pharma社、品番CTKN001)で室温15分間処置した。その後、1%BSA/PBSで希釈した5μg/mLの抗DIP2A抗体液(Santa Cruz社、品番sc-67556)で切片全体をカバーし、4℃で24時間、湿潤箱内で反応させた。その後PBSで切片を十分に洗浄し、そこに1%BSA/PBSで希釈した5μg/mLのPE標識FSTL1抗体液(抗FSTL1抗体をDOJINDO社のR-Phycoerythrin Labeling Kit - NH2、品番LK23 を用いてPE標識した抗体)で切片全体をカバーし、4℃で24時間、湿潤箱内で反応させた。その後、エタノールおよびキシレンで脱水・固定し、Vectashield Mounting Medium(Vector Laboratories社、品番H-1000)で切片を封入し、共焦点レーザスキャン顕微鏡(Carl Zeiss社、品番LSM700)下で観察した。FSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルは、顕微鏡に内蔵された蛍光強度自動測定機能を活用してピクセルカウントを計測して解析した。
<パラフィン切片セット(Super Bio Chips社)>
MB4(Human common cancers-2):乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がん(n=9~10)
[Example 3: Expression analysis of FSTL1 and DIP2A in tumor tissues derived from patients of various cancer types]
(1) Experimental method In order to examine the applicable cancer types of anti-FSTL1 antibody, immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of FSTL1 and DIP2A using patient-derived tumor tissue sections (see below) of various commercially available cancer types. Was analyzed. Tissue sections are deparaffinized with xylene and ethanol, then treated with 0.1% trypsin at 37 ° C. for 30 minutes to activate the antigen, followed by 20% Room Block to suppress non-specific staining. Treatment was performed with (DS Pharma, product number CTKN001) at room temperature for 15 minutes. The entire section was then covered with a 5 μg / mL anti-DIP2A antibody solution (Santa Cruz, stock number sc-67556) diluted with 1% BSA / PBS and reacted at 4 ° C. for 24 hours in a wet box. After that, the sections were thoroughly washed with PBS, and a 5 μg / mL PE-labeled FSTL1 antibody solution diluted with 1% BSA / PBS (anti-FSTL1 antibody was used in DOJINDO's R-Phycoerythrin Labeling Kit --NH2, product number LK23). The whole section was covered with a PE-labeled antibody) and reacted at 4 ° C. for 24 hours in a wet box. Then, the cells were dehydrated and fixed with ethanol and xylene, the sections were encapsulated with a Vector Shield Mounting Medium (Vector Laboratories, product number H-1000), and observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope (Carl Zeiss, product number LSM700). The expression levels of FSTL1 and DIP2A were analyzed by measuring the pixel count using the automatic fluorescence intensity measurement function built into the microscope.
<Paraffin section set (Super Bio Chips)>
MB4 (Human common cancers-2): breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer (n = 9-10)

(2)結果
結果を表1、図9および図10に示した。ステージI-IVの乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がんの6がん種についてFSTL1(PE/Red染色)とDIP2A(FITC/Green染色)の発現を解析したところ、FSTL1の発現は、肝がん、乳がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がん、前立腺がんの順に高かった。一方、DIP2Aの発現は、乳がん、肝がん、膵がん、卵巣がん、前立腺がん、膀胱がんの順に高かった。FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現が比較的高い4種(乳がん、肝がん、卵巣がん、膵がん)では、FSTL1/DIP2A共陽性の小型なSnail-induced MSC(sMSC)様細胞が多数浸潤していたほか、卵巣がんおよび膵がんではFSTL1/DIP2A共陽性の大型のがん幹細胞(CSC)様の腫瘍細胞も多数増加していた。縦軸にFSTL1発現レベルと横軸にDIP2A発現レベルをとり、各腫瘍組織における発現の相関性を確かめたところ、乳がん、肝がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がん、膵がんの間に統計学的に有意な相関性が観察された(図10)。以上の結果から、少なくとも肝がん、乳がん、膀胱がん、卵巣がんおよび膵がんには、抗FSTL1抗体治療が適用できる可能性が示唆された。
(2) Results The results are shown in Table 1, FIG. 9 and FIG. Expression of FSTL1 (PE / Red staining) and DIP2A (FITC / Green staining) for 6 cancer types of stage I-IV breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer As a result of analysis, the expression of FSTL1 was higher in the order of liver cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. On the other hand, the expression of DIP2A was higher in the order of breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer. In the four species (breast cancer, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer) with relatively high expression of both FSTL1 and DIP2A, a large number of small FSTL1 / DIP2A co-positive small Nail-induced MSC (sMSC) -like cells infiltrate. In addition, in ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer, a large number of FSTL1 / DIP2A co-positive large cancer stem cell (CSC) -like tumor cells also increased. The vertical axis is the FSTL1 expression level and the horizontal axis is the DIP2A expression level, and the correlation of expression in each tumor tissue was confirmed. Statistics among breast cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer. A statistically significant correlation was observed (Fig. 10). These results suggest that anti-FSTL1 antibody therapy may be applicable to at least liver cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Figure 0007012363000001
Figure 0007012363000001

さらに、上記6がん種におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルを進行ステージ(ステージI-IV)別に解析した結果を図11に示した。図中、黒丸(●)は各ステージにおける発現レベルの平均値、白抜丸(○)は各個体値を示す。この解析結果から、FSTL1およびDIP2Aともに、ステージI~IIIで発現が増強されており、FSTL1は特にステージIで増強されていることが明らかとなった。また、ステージIでは、他のステージに比べてFSTL1とDIP2Aを同時に発現する共発現性が有意に増強されて見られ、両分子ががん転移を制御していることから、まさにがん細胞は離脱しようとする原発巣でFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を増強し、がんの進展や転移を促進していると推測される。この結果から、FSTL1とDIP2Aの発現、特に両分子の共発現とその相関性を検出することが、がん転移の早期発見や早期治療に結び付く可能性が臨床レベルで示唆された。 Furthermore, the results of analyzing the expression levels of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the above 6 cancer types by advanced stage (stage I-IV) are shown in FIG. In the figure, black circles (●) indicate the average expression level at each stage, and white circles (○) indicate each individual value. From this analysis result, it was clarified that the expression of both FSTL1 and DIP2A was enhanced in stages I to III, and that FSTL1 was particularly enhanced in stage I. In addition, in stage I, the co-expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A at the same time was significantly enhanced as compared with other stages, and since both molecules control cancer metastasis, cancer cells are exactly the same. It is presumed that it enhances the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the primary tumor that is about to withdraw, and promotes the progression and metastasis of cancer. From this result, it was suggested at the clinical level that the detection of the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A, especially the co-expression of both molecules and their correlation, may lead to the early detection and early treatment of cancer metastasis.

〔実施例4:進行期メラノーマ患者由来の腫瘍組織におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現解析〕
(1)実験方法
進行期メラノーマ患者由来の腫瘍組織として、原発腫瘍組織および転移腫瘍組織を含む切片セット(Human malignant melanoma、品番CK2)をSuper Bio Chip社より購入し、実施例3と同じ方法でFSTL1とDIP2Aの免疫染色を行い、ピクセルカウントを測定して発現強度を解析した。
[Example 4: Expression analysis of FSTL1 and DIP2A in tumor tissue derived from patients with advanced melanoma]
(1) Experimental method As a tumor tissue derived from a patient with advanced melanoma, a section set (Human malignant melanoma, product number CK2) containing a primary tumor tissue and a metastatic tumor tissue was purchased from Super Bio Chip, and the same method as in Example 3 was used. Immunostaining of FSTL1 and DIP2A was performed, and the pixel count was measured to analyze the expression intensity.

(2)結果
結果を図12および図13に示した。図12のピクセルカウント数からわかるように、原発腫瘍組織および転移腫瘍組織(主にリンパ節)における両分子の発現レベルに統計学的有意差はなかったが、原発巣で比較的高い傾向にあった。一方、縦軸にFSTL1発現レベルと横軸にDIP2A発現レベルを用いた図から、転移腫瘍組織と異なり、原発腫瘍組織ではFSTL1/DIP2A共発現の発現様式が多く見られ、FSTL1とDIP2Aとの間に相関性が見られた。つまり、上記実施例3でも考察したように、原発巣におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現やその相関性を検出することが、がん転移の早期発見や早期治療に結び付く可能性が示唆された。
(2) Results The results are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. As can be seen from the pixel counts in FIG. 12, there was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of both molecules in the primary tumor tissue and the metastatic tumor tissue (mainly lymph nodes), but they tended to be relatively high in the primary tumor. rice field. On the other hand, from the figure using the FSTL1 expression level on the vertical axis and the DIP2A expression level on the horizontal axis, unlike the metastatic tumor tissue, the expression pattern of FSTL1 / DIP2A co-expression is often seen in the primary tumor tissue, and it is between FSTL1 and DIP2A. There was a correlation with. That is, as discussed in Example 3 above, it was suggested that detecting the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the primary lesion and their correlation may lead to early detection and early treatment of cancer metastasis.

また、図13は原発巣におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現レベルを種々の分類で解析したものであるが、年齢や性別、患者生存月数などでは有意な相関は認められなかった。ただし、DIP2Aを全体の平均値以上に高発現する患者の場合には生存期間が短く(低発現41.0ヶ月vs高発現34.0ヶ月;P=0.3103)、DIP2Aを平均値以上に高発現し、かつFSTL1も同時に高発現する患者はさらに生存期間が短くなる傾向が観察された(F高発現21.8ヶ月vsF低発現39.4ヶ月;P=0.1608)。一方、図13に示したように、全患者の平均生存月数「38ヶ月間」を基準にグループ分けして原発巣におけるFSTL1とDIP2Aの発現を比較すると、FSTL1発現レベルに差が見られなかったものの、DIP2A発現(短期生存者17408vs長期生存者7938)ならびにFSTL1とDIP2Aの共発現(短期生存者7635vs長期生存者3288)のレベルが短期生存患者では増強されていることが分かった。また、FSTL1発現とDIP2A発現との相関性は男性患者でのみ見られ、平均生存月数「36ヶ月間」を基準にしてグループ分けした場合にも、短期生存男性患者でのみ両分子の発現が相関することが分かった。以上の結果から、メラノーマ患者においては、FSTL1とDIP2Aの両方の発現レベルが患者の予後、特に、男性患者の予後を規定する因子となる可能性が示唆された。 In addition, FIG. 13 is an analysis of the expression levels of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the primary lesion by various classifications, but no significant correlation was observed in age, sex, patient survival months, and the like. However, in the case of patients with high expression of DIP2A above the average value, the survival time is short (low expression 41.0 months vs. high expression 34.0 months; P = 0.3103), and DIP2A is above the average value. Patients with high expression and simultaneous high expression of FSTL1 tended to have a shorter survival time (F high expression 21.8 months vs F low expression 39.4 months; P = 0.1608). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the primary lesion was compared by grouping based on the average survival month "38 months" of all patients, no difference was observed in the expression level of FSTL1. However, it was found that the levels of DIP2A expression (short-term survivors 17408 vs long-term survivors 7938) and co-expression of FSTL1 and DIP2A (short-term survivors 7635 vs long-term survivors 3288) were enhanced in short-term survivors. In addition, the correlation between FSTL1 expression and DIP2A expression was found only in male patients, and even when grouped based on the average survival month "36 months", expression of both molecules was found only in short-term surviving male patients. It turned out to be correlated. These results suggest that in melanoma patients, the expression levels of both FSTL1 and DIP2A may be factors that determine the prognosis of patients, especially male patients.

〔実施例5:各種がん患者の血清中FSTL1濃度測定〕
(1)実験方法
各種(皮膚がん、肺がん、卵巣がん、大腸がん、前立腺がん、乳がん)末期がん患者(ステージIV)の血清を購入し(ProMedDx社)、血清中のFSTL1濃度を、R&D Systems DuoSet ELISA Human FSTL1(R&D Systems社、Cat# DY1694)を使用して測定した。測定は製品のプロトコールに従って行った。
[Example 5: Measurement of serum FSTL1 concentration of various cancer patients]
(1) Experimental method Various types of (skin cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer) were purchased from end-stage cancer patients (stage IV) (ProMedDx), and the FSTL1 concentration in the serum was obtained. Was measured using R & D Systems DuoSet ELISA Human FSTL1 (R & D Systems, Cat # DY1694). Measurements were made according to the product protocol.

(2)結果
結果を図14に示した。図中黒丸(●)は、各がん患者の血清中FSTL1濃度の平均値を示す。各種末期がん患者の血清中のFSTL1濃度は、皮膚がん、肺がん、卵巣がん、大腸がん、前立腺がん、乳がんの順で高かった。末期がん患者では一般に転移を起こしている可能性が高く、特にメラノーマなどの皮膚がんの末期患者は転移の頻度が高いことが知られている。皮膚がんの患者の血清中FSTL1濃度の平均値は77.7ng/mLであり、うち2名はメラノーマ患者で、うち1名の患者の血清中FSTL1濃度は285.9ng/mLと高かった。正常人の血清中FSTL1濃度はおおよそ10ng/mL以下であることが報告されているが(Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Feb)、メラノーマ患者血清中のFSTL1濃度は平均で77.7ng/mLであったことから、明らかに正常人との違いを識別できる。この結果から、血清中のFSTL1濃度が高い患者に対して、抗FSTL1抗体治療が奏功する可能性が期待できることが示唆された。
(2) Results The results are shown in FIG. Black circles (●) in the figure indicate the average serum FSTL1 concentration of each cancer patient. The FSTL1 concentration in the serum of various terminal cancer patients was higher in the order of skin cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. It is known that patients with end-stage cancer generally have a high possibility of metastasis, and that end-stage patients with skin cancer such as melanoma have a high frequency of metastasis. The average serum FSTL1 concentration of skin cancer patients was 77.7 ng / mL, of which 2 were melanoma patients and one of them had a high serum FSTL1 concentration of 285.9 ng / mL. It has been reported that the serum FSTL1 concentration of normal people is about 10 ng / mL or less (Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Feb), but the FSTL1 concentration in the serum of melanoma patients was 77.7 ng / mL on average. Therefore, the difference from a normal person can be clearly identified. From this result, it was suggested that anti-FSTL1 antibody treatment may be effective for patients with high serum FSTL1 concentration.

〔実施例6:マウス骨肉腫細胞移植モデルを用いた抗FSTL1抗体の薬効評価〕
(1)実験方法
マウス骨肉腫細胞株であるNHOS細胞をBALB/cマウスの皮下に移植したモデルを用いて、抗腫瘍効果を解析した。抗FSTL1抗体としてクローン#6-55を用いた。実験は、抗体の投与日がNHOS細胞移植後の7日後である以外は参考例1と同じ手順で行った。評価は、皮下腫瘍増殖と血清中のFSTL1濃度について行った。血清中のFSTL1濃度測定は発明者らが予め取得した抗FSTL1抗体2種を用いたサンドイッチELISA系を用いて測定した。具体的には、5μg/mLの#6-55抗体を50μLプレートに添加し、終夜4℃で固相化した。ブロッキング後、洗浄を行い、各サンプルを添加し室温で2時間インキュベートした。洗浄後、ビオチン標識した#33抗体を室温で1時間反応させた。洗浄後、ストレプトアビジン-PolyHRP80複合体を1000倍希釈で添加し、遮光して室温で30分反応させた。洗浄後、発色基質を加え30分反応させた後、吸光度を測定した。
[Example 6: Evaluation of efficacy of anti-FSTL1 antibody using mouse osteosarcoma cell transplantation model]
(1) Experimental method The antitumor effect was analyzed using a model in which NHOS cells, which are mouse osteosarcoma cell lines, were subcutaneously transplanted into BALB / c mice. Clone # 6-55 was used as the anti-FSTL1 antibody. The experiment was carried out in the same procedure as in Reference Example 1 except that the date of administration of the antibody was 7 days after the NHOS cell transplantation. Evaluation was performed on subcutaneous tumor growth and serum FSTL1 concentration. The FSTL1 concentration in serum was measured using a sandwich ELISA system using two anti-FSTL1 antibodies previously obtained by the inventors. Specifically, 5 μg / mL # 6-55 antibody was added to a 50 μL plate and immobilized at 4 ° C. overnight. After blocking, washing was performed, each sample was added, and the mixture was incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. After washing, the biotin-labeled # 33 antibody was reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. After washing, the streptavidin-PolyHRP80 complex was added in a 1000-fold dilution, and the reaction was carried out at room temperature for 30 minutes in the dark. After washing, a color-developing substrate was added and the reaction was carried out for 30 minutes, and then the absorbance was measured.

(2)結果
図15に抗腫瘍効果の結果を示し、図16に血清中のFSTL1濃度測定の結果を示した。抗FSTL1抗体(#6-55)は皮下腫瘍の増殖を抑制し、血清中のFSTL1濃度も低下して抗腫瘍効果を支持するものであった。このことから、抗FSTL1抗体が骨肉腫に対しても奏功する可能性が示唆された。
(2) Results FIG. 15 shows the results of the antitumor effect, and FIG. 16 shows the results of measuring the FSTL1 concentration in serum. The anti-FSTL1 antibody (# 6-55) suppressed the growth of subcutaneous tumors and decreased the serum FSTL1 concentration to support the antitumor effect. This suggests that the anti-FSTL1 antibody may be effective against osteosarcoma.

なお本発明は上述した各実施形態および実施例に限定されるものではなく、請求項に示した範囲で種々の変更が可能であり、異なる実施形態にそれぞれ開示された技術的手段を適宜組み合わせて得られる実施形態についても本発明の技術的範囲に含まれる。また、本明細書中に記載された学術文献および特許文献の全てが、本明細書中において参考として援用される。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The obtained embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, all of the academic and patent documents described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (13)

がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による奏功性の判定を補助する方法であって、
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程、
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程、および
(3)測定値が基準値より高い患者を選択する工程、
を含むことを特徴とする方法。
A method of assisting in determining the response of an FSTL1 inhibitor in cancer patients.
(1) Step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in a sample collected from a patient,
(2) A step of comparing the measured value with the reference value, and (3) a step of selecting a patient whose measured value is higher than the reference value.
A method characterized by including.
試料が、患者のがん細胞を含む試料または患者の血液である請求項に記載の方法。 The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample is a sample containing a patient's cancer cells or a patient's blood. 患者のがん細胞を含む試料が、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織である請求項に記載の方法。 The method according to claim 2 , wherein the sample containing the cancer cells of the patient is a biopsy cancer tissue or a cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery. 工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中FSTL1濃度を測定することを特徴とする請求項1に記載の方法。 The first aspect of claim 1, wherein in step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood FSTL1 concentration are measured. the method of. 工程(1)において、発現レベルを免疫組織化学的に測定することを特徴とする請求項1~のいずれかに記載の方法。 The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein in the step (1), the expression level is measured immunohistochemically. がん患者に対するFSTL1阻害剤の投与開始の判定を補助する方法であって、
(1)患者から採取した試料におけるFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定する工程、
(2)測定値を基準値と比較する工程、および
3)測定値が基準値より高い患者を選択する工程、
を含むことを特徴とする方法。
It is a method of assisting the determination of the start of administration of an FSTL1 inhibitor to a cancer patient.
(1) Step of measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in a sample collected from a patient,
(2) A step of comparing the measured value with the reference value, and ( 3) a step of selecting a patient whose measured value is higher than the reference value.
A method characterized by including.
試料が、患者のがん細胞を含む試料または患者の血液である請求項に記載の方法。 The method of claim 6 , wherein the sample is a sample containing a patient's cancer cells or patient's blood. 患者のがん細胞を含む試料が、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織である請求項に記載の方法。 The method according to claim 7 , wherein the sample containing the cancer cells of the patient is a biopsy cancer tissue or a cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery. 工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中FSTL1濃度を測定することを特徴とする請求項に記載の方法。 The sixth aspect of claim 6 , wherein in step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood FSTL1 concentration are measured. the method of. 工程(1)において、生検がん組織または切除手術で得られたがん組織におけるFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルと、血中DIP2A可溶型濃度を測定することを特徴とする請求項に記載の方法。 The claim is characterized in that in step (1), the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in the biopsy cancer tissue or the cancer tissue obtained by excision surgery and the blood DIP2A soluble type concentration are measured. The method according to 6 . 工程(1)において、発現レベルを免疫組織化学的に測定することを特徴とする請求項6~10のいずれかに記載の方法。 The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 , wherein the expression level is measured immunohistochemically in the step (1). がん患者におけるFSTL1阻害剤による治療効果を予測するためのキットであって、患者から採取した試料中のFSTL1およびDIP2Aの発現レベルを測定するための試薬を含むキット。 A kit for predicting the therapeutic effect of an FSTL1 inhibitor in a cancer patient, which contains a reagent for measuring the expression level of FSTL1 and DIP2A in a sample collected from the patient. 前記試薬が、抗FSTL1抗体、抗DIP2A抗体、FSTL1のRT-PCR用プライマーセットおよびDIP2AのRT-PCR用プライマーセットから選択される1種又は2種以上を含む請求項12に記載のキット。 The kit according to claim 12 , wherein the reagent comprises one or more selected from an anti-FSTL1 antibody, an anti-DIP2A antibody, a primer set for RT-PCR of FSTL1 and a primer set for RT-PCR of DIP2A.
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