2026.01.23
Caninized PD-1 monoclonal antibody in oral malignant melanoma: efficacy and exploratory biomarker analysis
A research group led by Professor Takuya Mizuno and Associate Professor Masaya Igase of the Division of Translational Research for One Medicine has conducted the world’s largest clinical study on progressive canine oral melanoma, utilizing an original “caninized anti-dog PD-1 antibody” developed by their team.
The analysis of 150 cases demonstrated an objective response rate of 16.7% even against advanced cancers resistant to conventional therapies, proving the treatment’s contribution to long-term survival. Furthermore, through genomic analysis, the team identified that patients with high “microsatellite instability (MSI)” showed significantly prolonged survival. The discovery of this biomarker is a breakthrough achievement that paves the way for “personalized medicine” in canine oncology.
These findings were published in the international scientific journal Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer on January 23, 2026.
- Division of Translational Research for One Medicine
Takuya Mizuno（Clinical Veterinary Science）
Masaya Igase （Clinical Veterinary Science）
- Title: Caninized PD-1 monoclonal antibody in oral malignant melanoma: Efficacy and exploratory biomarker analysis
- Authors: Masaya Igase, Kenji Hagimori, Sakuya Inanaga, Hiroki Mizoguchi, Kazuhito Itamoto, Masashi Sakurai, Tomoki Motegi, Hiroka Yamamoto, Masahiro Kato, Toshinori Shiga, Toshihiro Tsukui, Tetsuya Kobayashi, and Takuya Mizuno
- Journal: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
- Publication Date: January 23, 2026 (Published online)
- URL: https://jitc.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/jitc-2025-013623
- ＜Regarding the content of the paper＞
- Clinical Veterinary Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Division of Medical-Veterinary Translational Research,Research Institute for Cell Design Medical Science (RICeD)
- 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515,Japan
- Professor Takuya Mizuno
- TEL: 0836-85-3065
- E-mail: mizutaku@ ( followed by yamaguchi-u.ac.jp)
- Lab Website: https://mizutakuvet.com/
- ＜Regarding public relations＞
- Yamaguchi University Research Institute for Cell Design Medical Science (Life Science Support Section, Academic Research Division)
- TEL: 0836-85-3065
- E-mail: sh088@ ( followed by yamaguchi-u.ac.jp)