Elucidation on the molecular mechanisms of the carcinogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of oral cancer via DeltaNp63-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K11845
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Matsubara Ryota 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 共同研究員 (60615798)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 川野 真太郎 九州大学, 大学病院, 准教授 (00398067) ; 神野 哲平 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (60755247)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔扁平上皮癌 / 上皮ー間葉転換 / ΔNp63 / PAR1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the relationship between ΔNp63 and protease-activated protein (PAR) 1, a G protein-coupled 7-transmembrane receptor, also known as thrombin receptor, which has been reported to be expressed in several cancer types. As a result, the incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis and histological grade were significantly higher in cases with PAR1 expression in tumor and stromal cells, and PAR1 expression in tumor cells at the invasive tip was inversely correlated with ΔNp63 expression. These results suggest that PAR expression is enhanced by reduced expression of ΔNp63 and contributes to the progression of OSCC by inducing EMT.

Free Research Field

口腔外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

口腔扁平上皮癌に特異的なマーカーを発見し、その機能を解明することで口腔扁平上皮癌患者の生存率を改善できること。