The role of ELF3 in homeostasis and tumorigenesis of pancreas

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16711
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50010:Tumor biology-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University (2020-2021); Kyoto University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Nishikawa Yoshihiro 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 特別研究員(PD) (80802785)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 膵癌 / ELF3

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We confirmed broad expression of ELF3 from precancerous legion to advanced pancreatic cancer in human specimen. The inverse correlation of ELF3 expression and prognosis was also confirmed. These results suggest that ELF3 plays pro-tumor role in pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, ELF3 deletion promoted poorly differentiated cancer in pancreatic cancer mouse model. ELF3 deletion promoted de-differentiation of cancer, therefore, it is suggested that ELF3 plays anti-tumor role in pancreatic cancer. Taken together, ELF3 may plays anti-tumor and pro-tumore roles in pancreatic cancer depending on the context of pancreatic tumor.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

膵癌は本邦における悪性腫瘍死亡原因の第5位を占め、未だに5年生存率が10%に満たない最難治癌であり、予後改善・新規治療薬の開発には、その病態解明が必須である。ELF3の膵癌における役割の詳細は不明であったが、本研究でその病態形成の一端を担うことを明らかにすることが出来た。詳細な病態解明や新規治療法開発には更なる検討が必要と考えられる。