Modulating ROS to overcome chemoradio-resistance of head and neck cancers

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10805
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Narita Norihiko 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門, 准教授 (80345678)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 高林 哲司 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門(附属病院部), 講師 (70397272)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: SESN1 / ROS / 頭頸部癌 / シスプラチン / 温熱

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We focused on reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced under stress environment in cancer cells and found that Sestrin 1 (SESN 1) could induce cisplatin tolerance and hyperthermia resistance in head and neck cancers using PCR array. It was proved that suppressing SESN1 in head and neck cancer cisplatin-resistant cell line attenuated cisplatin resistance and thermal tolerance. The observation demonstrated that suppression of SESN1 enhance ROS production by cisplatin or thermal stimulation, leading to activating the pathway from cytochrome C to Caspase3 to increase apoptosis. These reactions did not occur after irradiation, suggesting that radiation resistance is derived from different mechanisms. SESN1 is a novel target molecule to overcome the resistance of cisplatin and hyperthermia for head and neck cancers.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科