Role of EVI5 in the regulation of tumor microenvironment in neuroblastoma

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17361
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52050:Embryonic medicine and pediatrics-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: TAKAFUJI SATORU 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 医学研究員 (70816800)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 神経芽腫 / Evi5

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neuroblastoma (NB) is characterized by its clinical heterogeneity, especially in Stage 4 and 4S NB patients. Although more than 50% of Stage 4 NB patients have recurrent disease, spontaneous regression is possible in Stage 4S NB patients. In this study, we focused on the interaction between NB cells and their cancer microenvironment using the Evi5 gene isolated from chromosomal translocation sites of Stage 4S NB patients as a probe. By using Evi5 knockdown and overexpressed NB cells, we tried to identify candidate molecules of Evi5-regulated secreted factors from NB cells. We then examined their effects on NB cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a major component of the cancer microenvironment in NB patients.

Free Research Field

小児血液腫瘍

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経芽腫患者の予後改善には、50%以上が再発するStage4患者と自然消退し得るStage4S患者の違いを明らかにすることが重要だと考えられる。本研究では、Stage4S患者の染色体転座部位から単離されたEvi5遺伝子に注目して、Evi5に制御される神経芽腫細胞からの分泌因子の候補分子群を同定した。これらの分子群に関する知見は、神経芽腫の新たな診断・治療法の開発に繋がると期待される。