Elucidation of female cancer pathophysiology based on the estrogen-regulatory and -refractory systems and applications of therapeutic targets related to the estrogen evasion mechanisms.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: Saitama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Wataru 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (10772783)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 池田 和博 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30343461)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Efp / ステロイドホルモン / 遺伝子発現 / トリプルネガティブ乳がん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate the effect of estrogen responsive finger protein (Efp) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), we analyzed the expression of Efp using TNBC patient-derived cells and cell line, and found that Efp is overexpressed in these cancer cells. Gain- and loss-of function analysis demonstrated that Efp is involved in the proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression of TNBC cells. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed that Efp is involved in the regulation of expression of cell cycle-related genes. These findings suggest that Efp acts as a tumor-promoting factor in TNBC, implying a potential therapeutic target in clinical treatment.

Free Research Field

内分泌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、Efpはトリプルネガティブ乳がん(TNBC)において腫瘍促進的な役割を担っていることをはじめて明らかにした。また、Efpによって発現制御を受ける細胞周期関連遺伝子としてCDCA7とHELLSを明らかにし、Efpの細胞内作用メカニズムとして新たな経路を示す学術的知見を得た。エストロゲン受容体陽性の乳がんに加え、TNBCにおいてもEfpが治療標的となり得る可能性を明らかにしたことは、治療標的が少なく予後不良であるTNBCに対する新たな治療法開発への応用として期待され、社会的意義を有すると考えられた。