Examination of PROK2 as a new therapeutic target factor and biomarker for colorectal cancer

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17608
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Kurebayashi Hidetaka 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門(附属病院部), 助教 (10794589)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: prokineticin / 大腸癌 / 血管新生因子 / 分子標的薬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have previously reported that PROK2 is a factor strongly involved in hematogenous metastasis of colorectal cancer. In the examination of an antibody against PK-R2, which is a receptor for PROK2 (anti-PK-R2 antibody), it was found to have an effect of suppressing tumor growth and also an effect of suppressing liver metastasis. Furthermore, in the examination of blood PROK2 expression using liquid biopsy, 14.5% were positive. The recurrence-free survival rate was significantly poor in blood PROK2-positive cases, and blood PROK2-positive was an independent recurrence predictor in multivariate analysis. Based on these studies, PROK2 can be a novel therapeutic target factor and a novel recurrence prediction biomarker in colorectal cancer.

Free Research Field

大腸癌、消化器外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の研究では、大腸癌におけるPROK2をターゲットした抗PK-R2抗体療法の腫瘍増生抑制効果を示すことができ、新規分子標的治療薬としての可能性を示すことができた。更に肝転移抑制効果の結果から、この抗PK-R2抗体療法が肝転移抑制に有用な可能性が示唆され、現在術後補助化学療法での有効な分子標的薬は無いため、新規治療法の確立に寄与しうると考える。また大腸癌の再発予測因子があきらかになることは治療戦略の上で、非常に重要であり、今回の成果よりPROK2は治療薬と連動した有効なバイオマーカーに発展しうるものと考えられた。