Preliminary investigation of optimal cell culture condition of circulating tumor cells

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K15786
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: University of Yamanashi
• Principal Investigator: SAITOH Masao 山梨大学, 大学院総合研究部, 教授 (90345041)
• Research Collaborator: SAKAMOTO Kei ; SAKAMOTO Kaname ; NAKAMURA Ryosuke ; HOTTA Asami ; FURUYA Satoshi
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: EMT / CTC / TGF-beta

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During EMT in cancer progression, cancer cells that originate from epithelial cells exhibit both mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, known as partial EMT. Partial EMT in cancer cells is thought to enhance their invasive properties, generate circulating tumor cells(CTC) and cancer stem cells, and promote resistance to anti-cancer drugs. We found that partial EMT is dramatically in cancer cells by overexpression of a certain gene (geneX). The cancer cells undergoing partial EMT promote invasive properties and resistance to anoikis as determined by equipments developed by us. Thus, we are further investigating the roles of the cells in CTC by in vitro experiments and mouse in vivo models.

Free Research Field

がん生物学