Dynamics of GMN cancer cells: Synergistic effect on cancer malignant alteration by CAF

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07681
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50010:Tumor biology-related
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: Itoh Go 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (60607563)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: CAF / 細胞分裂 / がん微小環境 / 浸潤 / サイトカイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Giant / Multi-Nucleated cancer cells (GMN cancer cells) are found in tumor tissues after chemotherapy or radiation therapy. GMN cancer cells are by no means quiescent cells. GMN cancer cells were found to contribute to active alteration of the tumor microenvironment and to be susceptible to mesenchymal transition from their feedback. GMN cancer cells and CAF (Cancer associated fibroblasts) mobilization, which seemingly different phenomena, will lead to creation of a new field of research. This study, which elucidates the signaling pathways of GMN cancer cell proliferation and cancer infiltration / metastasis, will lead to the creation of drugs and tumor markers that block and detect cancer recurrence and malignancy after cancer treatment.

Free Research Field

分子腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

癌細胞における細胞分裂の失敗は、癌ゲノム情報に大規模な変異を与える（ミクロ的変化）。また、癌細胞とその周辺細胞との相互作用も癌細胞の性質変異につながる（マクロ的変化）。ミクロとマクロな2つの変化が連携し、癌悪性化を増幅させるメカニズムを明らかにできる。従来とは異なる効果的な癌抑制経路を模索し、癌の緩和を目指している。