Liver cancer cells manipulate stromal cells involved in fibrosis to promote tumor growth

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Yuta Myojin 大阪大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (20838817)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 肝細胞癌 / 肝星細胞 / GDF15 / 単一細胞解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), frequently seen in patients with liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse or chronic viral hepatitis, is the most common form of liver cancer worldwide. As such, it is the third-most common cause of cancer-related death and has a notoriously poor prognosis. At present, surgery is the most effective treatment for HCC, but is only successful in the 10-20% of cases where cancer cells have not spread beyond the liver. We have found that liver cancer cells induce autophagy in hepatic stellate cells, causing them to produce a growth factor called GDF15 that promotes tumor growth. GDF15 was more highly expressed in tumor tissue than normal liver tissue, and patients with higher levels of GDF15 had a poorer prognosis. New therapies targeting GDF15 may help prevent the development and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Free Research Field

消化器内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで明らかでなかった肝星細胞と肝がん細胞の相互作用について今後より研究が発展することが望まれます。今後GDF15に対する中和抗体などGDF15を標的とした治療が、肝がん患者さんに対する新たな治療選択肢の1つとして臨床開発されることが期待されます。