Elucidation of epigenomic and metabolic control by Akt signaling in the development of cancer stem cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07577
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50010:Tumor biology-related
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: Sekita Yoichi 北里大学, 理学部, 准教授 (20431950)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 松本 俊英 北里大学, 医学部, 講師 (10623184) ; 木村 透 北里大学, 理学部, 教授 (50280962)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: がん幹細胞 / エピジェネティクス / AKTシグナル / 膠芽腫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cancer tissues, in most cases, contain various types of cells within the tissue, a characteristic referred to as ‘heterogeneity of cancer tissues’. One of the major reasons why cancer treatment is difficult is that the impact of drugs and radiation varies depending on the type of cell that forms the cancer. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSC) is considered important as a mechanism that creates the heterogeneity of cancer tissues. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of CSC formation, and conducted an analysis of the role of signal transduction pathways, and the construction of an experimental system to visualize CSC using cells derived from glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor.

Free Research Field

エピジェネティクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

がん幹細胞は、がん治療が困難であることの元凶だと考えられるが、その発生メカニズムなど生物学的な知見は乏しい。本研究で得られた、がん幹細胞とAKTシグナル経路の関連や、がん幹細胞を可視化する実験系は、がん幹細胞の基礎研究に貢献すると考えられる。また、がん幹細胞発生に関する遺伝子の探索や治療薬の探索に活用される可能性を持っている。