Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology

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  5. Associate Prof. Ken Takahashi

Associate Professor Ken Takahashi
Division of Cancer Immunotherapy

Education

  • Kyoto University, Faculty of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
  • Kyoto University, Graduate School of Medicine: Doctor of Medical Science (Ph.D.)

Professional Experience

  • 2004–2007: Osaka University, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Prof. Shizuo Akira’s Lab., Visiting Researcher
  • 2007–2010: The Scripps Research Institute (San Diego, CA), Prof. FV Chisari’s Lab., Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 2010–2012: Kyoto University, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Senior Clinical Fellow
  • 2012–2022: Kyoto University, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Assistant Professor
  • 2022-2023: Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Deputy Director
  • 2023~: Associate Professor, Division of Cancer Immunotherapy, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology (CCII)

Research Focus

As a clinician, I have long been deeply involved in the clinics of gastrointestinal diseases including many types of cancers. On the other hand, I have been engaged in basic research on innate immunity, especially focusing on type I interferon which plays a critical role in both antitumoral and antiviral immunity. Through these experiences in my career, I have been highly motivated to translate the ideas and results from basic research into clinical practice. At the CCII, I will execute projects under the theme of the development of novel cancer immunotherapies that enhance the efficacy of PD-1 blockade by harnessing innate immunity. Apart from my own laboratory, I will also be actively engaged in other projects, thereby bridging the gap between clinical practice and basic research and increasing overall activity of clinical aspects of cancer immunology research at Kyoto University. 

Honors & Awards

Academic Societies

Selected Publications

Yaku, H., Takahashi, K., Okada, H., Kobiyama, K., Shiokawa, M., Uza, N., Kodama, Y., Ishii, K.J., Seno, H. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy as a complementary modality to in situ vaccine in a preclinical pancreatic cancer model.  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 737, 150534, 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150534

Okada, H., Takahashi, K., Yaku, H., Kobiyama, K., Iwaisako, K., Zhao, X., Shiokawa, M., Uza, N., Kodama, Y., Ken J, Ishii., Seno, H. In situ vaccination using unique TLR9 ligand K3-SPG induces long-lasting systemic immune response and synergizes with systemic and local immunotherapy. Sci Rep 12, 2132 (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05702-0.

Eso, Y., Takeda, H., Taura, K., Takai, A., Takahashi, K., Seno, H.. Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictive Marker of Response to Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 28, 4157-4166, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28050352.

Nakano, S., Eso, Y., Okada, H., Takai, A., Takahashi, K., Seno, H.. Recent Advances in Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 12, 2020. DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040775

Yoshiji, S., Takahashi, K., Sawada, K., Mishima, M., Eso, Y., Morita, M., Takai, A., Marusawa, H., Ueda, Y., Mimori, T., Seno, H.. Accelerated Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma during Immunosuppressive Therapy with Abatacept for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Intern Med 58, 67-71, 2019. DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.0843-18.

Wieland, SF., Takahashi, K., Boyd, B., Whitten-Bauer, C., Ngo, N., de la Torre, JC., Chisari, F.V.. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells sense lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-infected cells in vitro. J Virol. 88, 752-7, 2014. DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01714-13

Kumar, H., Pandey, S., Zou, J., Kumagai, Y., Takahashi, K., Akira, S., Kawai, T.. NLRC5 deficiency does not influence cytokine induction by virus & bacteria infections. J Immunol 186, 994-1000, 2011. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002094

Takahashi, K., Asabe, S., Wieland, S., Garaigorta, U., Gastaminza, P., Isogawa, M., Chisari, F.V.. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells sense hepatitis C virus-infected cells, produce interferon, & inhibit infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107, 7431-7436, 2010. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1002301107.

Takahashi, K., Kawai, T., Kumar, H., Sato, S., Yonehara, S., Akira, S.. Roles of caspase-8 & caspase-10 in innate immune responses to double-stranded RNA. J Immunol 176, 4520-4524, 2006. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.8.4520.

Kumar, H., Kawai, T., Kato, H., Sato, S., Takahashi, K., Coban, C., Yamamoto, M., Uematsu, S., Ishii, K.J., Takeuchi, O., Akira, S.. Essential role of IPS-1 in innate immune responses against RNA viruses. J Exp Med 203, 1795-1803, 2006. DOI: 10.1084/jem.20060792.

Ishii, K.J., Coban, C., Kato, H., Takahashi, K., Torii, Y., Takeshita, F., Ludwig, H., Sutter, G., Suzuki, K., Hemmi, H., et al.. A Toll-like receptor-independent antiviral response induced by double-stranded B-form DNA. Nat Immunol 7, 40-48, 2006. DOI: 10.1038/ni1282.

Kawai, T., Takahashi, K., Sato, S., Coban, C., Kumar, H., Kato, H., Ishii, K.J., Takeuchi, O., Akira, S.. IPS-1, an adaptor triggering RIG-I- & Mda5-mediated type I interferon induction. Nat Immunol 6, 981-988, 2005. DOI: 10.1038/ni1243.

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