Elucidation of the molecular function of p62 in the progression of oral cancer

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18958
• 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: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Kanno Naomi (石橋直美) 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (30738539)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔がん / p62 / LC3A / LC3B / 腫瘍周辺正常上皮 / miRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We revealed that if an abnormal accumulation of p62, LC3A, and LC3B occurs in the safety margin of oral cancer resection that pathologically diagnosed as normal mucosa, there is a possibility that an abnormal autophagy has occurred. In other words, if there is an abnormality in autophagy, there is a risk of cancer recurrence even if the mucosa is histopathologically diagnosed as normal mucosa. In addition, we showed the possibility of clinical application of p62 as a biomarker for the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia, and if p62 nuclear staining and p62 aggregation are observed, strict follow-up is required. Then, it was clarified that miR-142-5p, which is a cancer-promoting miRNA whose expression level is remarkably increased in oral cancer, is involved in infiltration and proliferation of oral cancer cells.

Free Research Field

外科系歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

酸化ストレス関連たんぱく質（p62、LC3A、LC3B）が口腔癌の外科的切除における新規マーカーとなり得る可能性を見出した。今後、前向き観察研究そして臨床研究を計画するのに役立つ基礎的な研究結果を得ることが出来た。
口腔白板症の悪性化に関するバイオマーカーとして、p62の臨床的実用化の可能性を示すことが出来た。
口腔癌における新規がん促進型miRNAとして、miR-142-5pを同定し、その機能について明らかにすることが出来た。