Involvement of EMT and cancer stem cells in the mechanism of Snail-induced acquisition of metastatic potential of oral cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10139
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Ono Shigehiro 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(歯), 助教 (70379882)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 武知 正晃 独立行政法人国立病院機構(呉医療センター臨床研究部), その他部局等, 医師 (00304535) ; 飛梅 圭 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(歯), 准教授 (40350037)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔癌 / 転移 / EMT

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have been focusing on EMT as one of the mechanisms of cancer invasion and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of EMT in the acquisition of high invasive potential of oral cancer, which is thought to be induced by Snail. The results suggest that Snail may be involved in the invasive and metastatic potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma via EMT and that Snail possesses stem cell-like traits. On the other hand, Snail may be involved in the acquisition of cancer stem cell traits and consequently induces EMT, resulting in the acquisition of invasive metastatic potential. These results suggest that Snail may be a potential target for the regulation of cancer invasion and metastasis.

Free Research Field

外科系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

口腔癌の浸潤・転移機構に関して詳細は現在まで十分に解明されていない．特に，口腔癌の転移は患者の予後に大きく影響を与える．これまでにわれわれは一つの候補としてEMTを介した高度浸潤能獲得機構について研究を継続している．本研究の結果により，EMTを介した口腔癌の浸潤・転移獲得機構と幹細胞形質の獲得にSnailが関与している可能性が示唆された．本遺伝子が比較的予後の悪いとされる口腔癌の浸潤と転移を制御しうる口腔癌治療の標的になりうると考えられた．