Development of a novel medicine for reducing side effects for cetuximab, a new therapeutic agent for head and neck cancer

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15731
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: UZAWA KATSUHIRO 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准教授 (30302558)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: セツキシマブ / 頭頸部癌 / 副作用 / 心毒性 / Flavagline

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cetuximab is the only molecular targeting therapeutic agent in Japan that has been approved for medical insurance for head and neck cancer, but side effects such as skin toxicity and cardiotoxicity, often interfere with cancer treatments. In this study, we identified gene pathway associated with cardiotoxicity were detected by exhaustive gene analysis using microarray and gene pathway analysis. We clarified an agent that efficiently control gene expression on this pathway and a method to suppress cardiotoxicity without attenuating antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学