Identification of molecules involved in the carcinogenesis of serrated lesions of the colon and their clinical application.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17437
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Shono Takashi 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 特定研究員 (40632667)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: SSA/P / マイクロRNA / 発がんマーカー / Serrated pathway

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on miRNA analysis of endoscopically resected tissue from colorectal cancer arising from sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSAP) in the proximal colon, we identified six pathways, including the TGF-beta signaling pathway, as common pathways associated with the cancerous region.
In addition, endoscopically resected tissue samples of polyp-like adenoma and Laterally spreading tumor (LST) of the colon were separated into normal and tumor portions, then their miRNA and mRNA expression analysis identified three types of miRNAs whose expression varied between the two portions. Experiments using cultured cells derived from colorectal cancer suggested that one of the identified miRNAs was associated with the growth and progression of colon cancer cells.

Free Research Field

消化器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大腸癌の原因のほとんどは腺腫が原因と考えられてきたが、近年、鋸歯状病変(SSAP)も大腸癌の前駆病変であることが明らかになってきた。しかし、その分子基盤は不明であった。本研究にて同定したmiRNAはSSAPが癌へと進展するserrated pathwayの分子生物学的解明の一翼を担う可能性があり、さらにSSAPより発生する増殖の早い大腸癌に対して、新しい診断方法や治療戦略の臨床応用を展開するための基盤となり得る。