Introduction of a ketogenic diet to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma focusing on the cell membrane energy sensor GPRC5B

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10193
• 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: Kanagawa Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Ikoma Takeharu 神奈川歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (10638290)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 小澤 重幸 神奈川歯科大学, 歯学部, 特任准教授 (40434394)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部扁平上皮癌 / 扁平上皮癌 / GPRC5B / BOSS / ケトン食

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recently, a gene called GPRC5B was discovered. This gene has attracted attention in diabetes research because it has the function of sensing the amount of extracellular energy and transmitting that information into the cell. It has been shown that when this gene is knocked out, (1) the energy balance in the body is disrupted and starvation becomes more likely, and (2) even if a highly nutritious diet is given, the stored energy cannot be stored and obesity does not occur. Therefore, the applicant will (1) prove whether GPRC5B, an energy sensor, can detect the amount of energy required by cancer cells, and (2) what effect it will have on cancer cells if it senses the amount of energy.

Free Research Field

頭頸部扁平上皮癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の最大の特徴は、現在、GPRC5Bは糖尿病との関連性に着目されており、頭頚部癌のみならず多臓器に発生する悪性腫瘍においても研究対象となっていないことである。その理由は、GPRC5Bノックアウトマウスはインスリン感受性が高く、肥満による2型糖尿病の発症が抑制されたことに起因する。実際、糖尿病の治療対象と期待される遺伝子が、癌にとっては好都合な遺伝子であることが多い。GPRC5Bと癌細胞のエネルギー代謝の関連性への着目は、癌研究におけるさきがけであり新たな一歩となると考えられる。