Development of novel treatment targeting cancer stromal cells in standard treatment-resistant oral squamous cell carcinoma

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K11521
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Asoda Seiji 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (80296706)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 森川 暁 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (00424169) ; 吉川 桃子 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 訪問研究員 (50570967)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: CD44v / 口腔扁平上皮癌 / SpCC

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our group focused on cancer-associated mesenchymal / stromal cells of cetuximab-resistant oral squamous cell carcinoma. We aimed at personalized treatment by constructing expression profiles of CD44v and novel mesenchymal markers.Analysis of cetuximab-resistant undifferentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma using tissue sample revealed that tissue-derived cells expressed both epithelial marker, EpCAM and mesenchymal marker, PDGFRα.The cancer stem cell marker CD44v-positive cells were identified in both cell fractions.

Free Research Field

口腔がん

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

SpCCの検体を用いて間質特異的細胞表面マーカーやその細胞特性評価を行い、病理診断のみでは予測できない細胞の性質や機能を明らかにした。その上で、効果的薬剤が定まっていないSpCCに対するイマチニブによる新規治療の可能性を見出した。