A study of pathological subtypes and glucose metabolism in craniopharyngioma

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K08937
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Gunma University
• Principal Investigator: Tosaka Masahiko 群馬大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 准教授 (40323357)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 頭蓋咽頭腫 / エナメル上皮腫型 / 乳頭型 / 糖代謝 / GLUT-1 / Hexokinase-2 / FDG-PET

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Craniopharyngioma, a type of brain tumor, is classified into two subtypes, the adamantinomatous type and the papillary type. Of these, it has recently been reported that the papillary type is caused by mutations in the BRAF gene. In a previous study, we suspected that only the papillary type had increased metabolism of glucose in the tumor. We used tissue specimens of craniopharyngioma to investigate whether upregulation of glucose metabolism-related proteins was observed. We then investigated whether it was consistent with BRAF mutations and increased glucose metabolism in FDG-PET (a test that images glucose metabolism). As a result, it was proved for the first time that BRAF mutation, increased expression of glucose metabolism-related protein, and increased glucose metabolism in FDG-PET were observed only in the papillary type of craniopharyngioma.

Free Research Field

間脳下垂体腫瘍

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

頭蓋咽頭腫は稀ながら頭蓋底部に存在し再発を繰り返す治療困難な脳腫瘍の一種です。この腫瘍の二つのサブタイプ（エナメル上皮腫型と乳頭型）の内、乳頭型だけはBRAF遺伝子の変異が原因であることが報告され、BRAF阻害剤という化学療法薬が、腫瘍を縮小させるとの報告がなされました。私たちの研究により、開頭手術を行うことなしにこの二つのサブタイプについて正確に診断することができれば、化学療法薬の治療効果を事前に予想することが可能となり、将来、適切な化学療法を行うことが可能になります。