Identification of microRNA and epigenome abnormality in colorectal cancer based on molecular subtype

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K07145
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Tumor diagnostics
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: NOSHO KATSUHIKO 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (10597339)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: EZH2 / microRNA / 大腸癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

MicroRNAs can function as oncogenes or tumour suppressors. Therefore, they have been increasingly recognized as useful biomarkers for various human cancers. With regard to colorectal cancers (CRCs), using miRNA array analysis, we recently discovered that microRNA-31 (miR-31) expression is significantly up-regulated in BRAF-mutated colorectal cancers (CRCs) compared with that in wild-type CRCs. Moreover, associations were identified between miR-31 expression, proximal tumor location and poor prognosis for CRCs. Moreover, the results of functional analysis showed that miR-31 may regulate BRAF activation and that the oncogenic role of miR-31 and its possibility of therapeutic target in CRCs. Thus, our current data suggest that miR-31 may be a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC. These novel data may lead to the establishment of a new therapeutic target or a theranostic procedure in gastroenterological cancers.

Free Research Field

大腸癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回、我々は大腸癌においてEZH2がmiR-31の発現を制御することを世界で初めて明らかにした。癌の発育進展に関わるmicroRNAを制御するポリコームタンパク阻害剤やHDAC阻害剤、DNA 脱メチル化酵素などを同定することは新たな治療方法を開発できる可能性があるため、今後も本研究をさらに発展させたいと考えている。