Development of a dynamic scoring system for the metastatic potential of cancer cells using an artificial bio microenvironment

• Project/Area Number: 23792151
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College
• Principal Investigator: KOKUBUN Katsutoshi 東京歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (90535808)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2013
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2013)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
• Keywords: EpCAM / 循環癌細胞 / ファージディスプレイ / ファージディスプレイ法 / CTC

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Because the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a glycoprotein localized on the cell surface, it has been used as a marker for circulating tumor cells (CTC), and the development of a CTC isolation device using EpCAM antibodies has been reported. It was believed that replacing this antibody with an artificial peptide would facilitate the functional analysis of the captured CTC. In this study, Ep114 peptides capable of binding to EpCAM were obtained by using genetic engineering techniques. The Ep114 had a Kd value of 1.6nM and was found to have a strong binding ability with EpCAM. Also, it was confirmed that the Ep114 binds to high-expressing EpCAM cells. Based on these findings, peptides with strong binding ability toward EpCAM were successfully acquired.