Roles of Epstein-Barr virus-associated B-cell lymphoma for peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14389
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Tumor biology
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan
• Principal Investigator: Komatsu Masayuki 国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター, 研究所, リサーチレジデント (10749500)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 未分化型胃がん / 食道扁平上皮がん / エプスタイン・バーウィルス / Bリンパ腫 / 転移

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Since metastasis is one of the most common phenotypes and cause of death in various cancers, elucidation of molecular mechanism of metastasis and tumor progression at metastasis foci may lead to development of innovative therapeutic modalities. In this study, we discovered Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell lymphoma cells (BCL) are highly present at the metastatic foci (e.g. peritoneum and lymph node) of diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. By the molecular biological approach, we revealed that the BCL cells contribute tumor survival at peritoneum via activation of the mesothelium in peritoneal metastasis of DGC. Moreover, the BCL cells also promote distal metastasis of DGC cells in vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate that EBV-associated BCL can establish favorable niche for metastasis. Therefore, these BCL cells may be an attractive metastasis control target.

Free Research Field

腫瘍学