Analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts and its application to cancer diagnosis and treatment

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08335
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Toshiyuki Kubo 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 訪問研究員 (80784313)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山本 英一郎 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 訪問研究員 (60567915)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸がん / 浸潤 / がん線維芽細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Advancements in gastrointestinal endoscopy technology have made it possible to surgically remove early-stage colorectal cancer using endoscopic treatment, regardless of the size or location of the tumor. However, in some cases, early infiltration and lymph node metastasis have been observed, highlighting the need for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved. In our study, we conducted transcriptome analysis on clinical samples and identified a series of genes highly expressed in the stroma of colorectal cancer, with a particular focus on AEBP1/ACLP. AEBP1/ACLP was found to be highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts and shown to promote their activation. Furthermore, we revealed that AEBP1/ACLP derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts enhances the migratory, invasive, and tumor-forming abilities of cancer cells.

Free Research Field

消化器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

がん間質は、がんの進展に重要な役割を担っており、重要な診断・治療標的である。本研究では、新たな大腸がん間質マーカーとしてAEBP1/ACLPを同定した。AEBP1/ACLPは、がん間質の主要な成分であるがん線維芽細胞に高発現し、これを活性化する。さらにがん線維芽細胞由来のAEBP1/ACLPはがん細胞を活性化することを見出した。これらの結果から、AEBP1/ACLPは新たながん診断マーカーおよび治療標的たりうる可能性が示された。