The tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09180
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ohki Shinji 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (20381361)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岡山 洋和 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (20583397) ; 遠藤 英成 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (80836271)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸癌 / 腫瘍微小環境

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we developed a transcriptional signature on the basis of stroma-specific, TGFbeta-responsive genes to estimate the levels of TGFbeta-dependent stromal activation in colorectal cancer (CRC). Using multiple cohorts of CRC analyzed on several platforms, including microarray, RNA-sequence and immunohistochemistry, we identified a subgroup of CRC exhibiting TGFbeta-activated stroma and microsatellite instability (MSI). We demonstrated that this subgroup was characterized by angiogenesis, infiltration of tumor-promoting macrophages and poor survival outcomes. However, no significant difference was found between MSI
CRC with and without stromal activation in terms of oncogene mutations, tumor mutation burden, immune checkpoint expression or T cell infiltration.

Free Research Field

消化器癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、特にマイクロサテライト不安定性を示す大腸癌において、間質TGFβの意義について報告した。将来的な大腸癌治療の個別化の礎として寄与し得ると考える。