Development of strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance by using induced cancer stem cells (iCSCs)

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Development of Novel Treatment Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells
• Project/Area Number: 22130007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: SAYA Hideyuki 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 教授 (80264282)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 発がん / がん微小環境 / 幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We previously developed induced cancer stem cells (iCSCs). Based on this technology, we characterized the dynamics of CSCs and analyzed their interaction with non-CSCs. Specific aim of our project was to identify the molecules regulating the functions of CSCs and compounds targeting those molecules, leading to the development of the strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance of CSCs. We have identified: i) Imp3 as a master regulator for tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma CSCs, ii) the IGF signals which promote therapeutic resistance of CSCs and iii) CD44v as a functional molecule to reduce reactive oxygen species and to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学