Monitoring Tumor Hypoxia and Sensitizing Radiotherapy Effects by Using Hypoxia-Inducible Secreted Proteins

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03621
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Harada Hiroshi 京都大学, 生命科学研究科, 教授 (80362531)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: がん / 微小環境 / 低酸素 / マーカー / 増感

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Since cancer cells become radioresistant under hypoxic conditions and cause poor patient prognosis, there is a need to monitor tumor hypoxia differently in each patient and to establish therapies that target tumor hypoxia. In this study, we identified SPINK1 as a protein secreted by hypoxia-stimulated cancer cells and found that its plasma concentration can be used to monitor the hypoxic fraction in tumors, and that inhibition of SPINK1 can enhance therapeutic effect of radiation.

Free Research Field

放射線腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

悪性固形腫瘍（がん）の内部に存在する低酸素環境は、がんの悪性化を引き起こす問題として認識されている。本研究で見出した知見により、血漿内のSPINK1濃度を指標に腫瘍内低酸素画分の多いがん患者を選出し、SPINK1を標的とする治療により放射線治療の効果を増強する、個別化医療の実現に繋がる可能性がある。