Development of a new therapy to target the dormant cancer stem cell in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08430
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Miyagi Prefectural Hospital Organization Miyagi Cancer Center
• Principal Investigator: Tamai Keiichi 地方独立行政法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん幹細胞研究部, 部長 (40509262)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 肝細胞癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent times, "cancer stem cells" have been identified. Because cancer stem cells are believed to exist in the dormant phase (G0 phase), they are highly resistant to anticancer drugs and irradiation and are the primary cause of treatment resistance. Thus, the induction of quiescent cancer stem cells into the normal cell cycle will result in effective cancer therapy. We discovered that BEX2 plays a vital role in maintaining quiescence in liver cancer. We have also identified a compound that reduces BEX2 expression, leading to increased sensitivity to anticancer drugs.

Free Research Field

がん生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの固形がんは、抗がん剤の効果に乏しく難治性である。私たちの研究は肝臓がんにおいて、新しい治療標的を確立できると可能性を見出した。肝臓がんの中にある一部の静止期にとどまるがん細胞にとって重要なタンパクを同定し、このタンパク発現を変化させれば治療効果が増大する可能性を明らかにした。臨床応用のためにはさらなる知見の蓄積が必要である。