Search for new prognostic markers and establishment of personalised treatment for pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma based on a new subtype classification

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18213
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55040:Respiratory surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Jimbo Naoe 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特命助教 (00773772)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: POU2F3 / 小細胞癌 / LCNEC / 分子分類 / 神経内分泌癌 / tuft cell

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Immunostain-based molecular classification (ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, YAP1) was performed on small cell carcinoma and LCNEC and correlated with clinicopathological factors. POU2F3-positive small cell carcinoma and POU2F3-positive LCNEC showed overlapping in cytohistological features. Additionally, POU2F3-positive carcinoma showed significantly higher expression of TTF-1, neuroendocrine markers, and significantly lower expression of bcl-2 and c-kit. Furthermore, POU2F3-positive carcinoma had a significantly better prognosis than POU2F3-negative carcinoma. POU2F3-positive carcinoma have clinicopathological independence, therefore the identification of this particular type is important when considering optimal personalised treatment.

Free Research Field

肺癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

①分子分類(ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, YAP1)は、元来、小細胞癌において提唱された分類方法であったが、LCNECでも当てはめることができることが示唆されたほか、小細胞癌とともにLCNECと同時に検討したことで、POU2F3の独自性を見いだすことができた。②分子分類と形態の相関を見出したシリーズでの研究報告としては世界初であると考えられる。