Chromosomal instability in colorectal cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09061
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Hayase Suguru 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (00583387)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岡山 洋和 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (20583397) ; 坂本 渉 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (40622337)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸癌 / 染色体不安定性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibits either microsatellite instability (MSI) or chromosomal instability (CIN), with the latter typically being microsatellite stable (MSS). The purpose of this study was to identify novel cancer-associated genes whose expression is downregulated due to chromosomal deletions particularly in MSS/CIN CRC and to analyze their clinicopathological significance and functions. Based on comprehensive screening conducted on gene expression and copy number analysis datasets of adenomas, CRCs, and CRC cell lines, we identified a set of candidate genes. These genes were found to be downregulated in association with chromosomal-level deletions as cancer progressed, and this downregulation was related to poor prognosis. However, siRNA-mediated silencing using CRC cell lines demonstrated no clear functional significance.

Free Research Field

大腸癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの大腸癌は染色体不安定性を示し、染色体不安定性は発癌・進展の過程で増加していく。本研究では、染色体不安定性を示す大腸癌において、特定の染色体の欠失とそれに関連する遺伝子発現低下、さらにその臨床的意義を示すことができた。大腸癌の発癌・進展におけるそれら遺伝子の生物学的機構の解明や、大腸癌治療の個別化を目指す今後の癌研究の礎として寄与し得ると考える。