Analysis of the influence of the oral environment on the development and recurrence of head and neck and esophageal cancer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18956
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Nakatsumi Hiroshi 北海道大学, 医学研究院, 客員研究員 (50735157)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: アセトアルデヒド / ALDH2 / 食道癌 / 頭頸部癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The influence of oral microbiota on the development and recurrence of head and neck and esophageal cancer has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of oral flora and oral metabolites on head and neck and esophageal cancer development and recurrence using metagenomic analysis of oral flora and metabolomics of oral metabolites. samples were collected and changes in oral flora and metabolites were confirmed. This study is expected to contribute to the development of novel therapies targeting the oral microbiota and to cancer prevention medicine that will contribute to the prevention of head and neck and esophageal cancer development, progression, and recurrence in the future.

Free Research Field

消化器癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

頭頸部・食道癌は、同時性および異時性に発生しやすく、飲酒と喫煙が相乗的に多発癌のリスクを高めることが知られている。WHOは「アルコールそのものの発癌性やアルコール代謝産物のアセトアルデヒドが、頭頸部・食道癌の原因となる」と認定しており、分子機序解明に向けた取り組みは急務である。
本研究により、将来的に口腔内細菌叢をターゲットにした新規治療法の開発と頭頸部・食道癌発生、進展および再発阻止に寄与する癌予防医学への貢献が期待される。