Role of BEX2 as dormant cancer stem cell-related gene

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Miyagi Prefectural Hospital Organization Miyagi Cancer Center
• Principal Investigator: Abue Makoto 地方独立行政法人宮城県立病院機構宮城県立がんセンター(研究所), がん幹細胞研究部, 特任研究員 (50599967)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: BEX2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, the presence of 'cancer stem cells' in cancerous tissue has been reported. Since cancer stem cells exist in the quiescent phase (G0 phase), they are highly resistant to anti-cancer drugs and radiation and are the main cause of treatment resistance. Therefore, induction of quiescent cancer stem cells into the normal cell cycle could lead to effective cancer therapy. However, many aspects of the maintenance of quiescence in solid tumour stem cells remain unresolved. In this project, we started by analysing BEX2, a quiescent cancer stem cell-associated molecule, in colorectal cancer, but as the results were not consistent, we analysed it in gastric cancer, which is also a gastrointestinal cancer. The results showed that BEX2 is a molecule that acts downstream of CHRNB2 to maintain cancer stem cells.

Free Research Field

がん生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

私たちは胃癌におけるあらたながん幹細胞関連分子BEX2を同定した。治療抵抗性に密接に関わると考えられることから、今後はBEX2および周辺のシグナルを阻害する手段を開発することで、新しい胃がん治療に繋がる可能性がある。