Molecular signature of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after treatment failure based on functional RNA analysis

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K09338
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: SEKI NAOHIKO 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 准教授 (50345013)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロRNA / 頭頸部扁平上皮癌 / miR-99a-5p / miR-99a-3p / マイクロRNA発現プロファイル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on our miRNA profile by RNA-sequencing in HNSCC, both strands of the miR-99a-duplex (miR-99a-5p: the guide strand, and miR-99a-3p: the passenger strand) are downregulated in cancer tissues. Ectopic expression assays showed that both miRNAs significantly inhibited cancer cell aggressiveness. Next, we screened miR-99a-3p regulated oncogenes involved in HNSCC pathogenesis. A total of 114 genes were identified as miR-99a-3p-regulated genes, and 10 genes (STAMBP, TIMP4, TMEM14C, CANX, SUV420H1, HSP90B1, PDIA3, MTHFD2, BCAT1, and SLC22A15) significantly predicted 5-year overall survival of the patients.

Free Research Field

ゲノム医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

頭頸部扁平上皮癌は、全ての癌種において6番目に多い癌であり、毎年65万人が新たに診断され、40万人以上が本疾患により亡くなる。最初の診断時において、既に、遠隔転移を有する症例にしばしば遭遇する。進行癌患者に対する治療法は限定的であり、生命予後は極めて厳しい。頭頸部扁平上皮癌患者に対する新規診断法、新規治療法の開発は急務である。