Molecular signature-based classification of circulating tumor cells and its clinical application for refinement of multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09209
• 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: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Motoi Fuyuhiko 山形大学, 医学部, 教授 (30343057)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 古川 徹 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (30282122) ; 畠 達夫 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 大学院非常勤講師 (30806237)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 膵癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In pancreatic cancer, tumor-derived DNA (ctDNA) is more easily detected in the peritoneal washing fluid than in the peripheral blood, and CY ctDNA-positive cases have a significantly poorer prognosis than negative cases, suggesting that CY ctDNA is a useful biomarker reflecting minimal residual disease. Exosomes were isolated from CY and analyzed for exosomal protein markers. miRNA was also extracted and its expression was examined using digital PCR, and miR-21 was found to be more highly expressed in the CY-positive group. Exosome fractions contain consentrated tumor-derived nucleic acids (DNA&RNA) and should be evaluated for useful samples.

Free Research Field

消化器外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

既知の腫瘍マーカーが全ての膵癌症例のおいてその病勢を正確に反映しているとは限らないため、微小転移診断、治療効果予測、病勢モニタリングなどの用途に応じた、より高精度なバイオマーカーの同定・開発が求められる。本研究では、通常診療で侵襲なく得られる腹腔洗浄液により、得られたサンプルがバイオマーカーとして介入法決断・予後予測に有用である可能性を示唆した。難治癌の代表である膵癌診断・治療技術の進歩に寄与できた。