The development of novel pancreatic cancer therapeutics based on probiotic-derived anti-tumor molecules.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16484
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 48020:Physiology-related
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Konishi Hiroaki 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 客員助教 (30777181)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: プロバイオティクス / 抗腫瘍分子 / 難治性癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I treated pancreatic cancer cells with probiotic culture supernatant and discovered that the culture medium of Aspergillus oryzae exhibits potent anticancer activity. Through fractionation of the culture supernatant using HPLC, we identified heptelidic acid (HA) as the active molecule responsible for its antitumor effects on pancreatic cancer cells by mass spectrometry, and NMR analysis. HA induces dysregulation of cell cycle and cell death in these cells. Additionally, we found that HA can penetrate the gastrointestinal tract and directly affect distant organs, further contributing to its antitumor efficacy. This study not only highlights the broad anticancer potential of probiotics but also provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of action.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

プロバイオティクスはヒトの健康の保持増進に有用なことは知られているが、主に腸内環境の改善作用に着目した研究が多く、癌や宿主細胞に直接作用する菌由来分子に着目した研究は少ない。本研究により、プロバイオティクス由来抗腫瘍分子が膵癌をはじめとする難治性癌の優れた創薬ターゲットであることを実証した。また、特定のプロバイオティクスと宿主や癌細胞がどのようにしての相互作用するのか、そのメカニズムの一端を明らかにした。