Research on the control of circulating tumor cells and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17654
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Hamaoka Michinori 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(医), 専門研究員 (70805639)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 循環腫瘍細胞 / 肝細胞癌 / 癌免疫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We detected and analyzed circulating tumor cells (CTC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting glypican-3, which is specifically highly expressed in HCC. This study showed that anatomical hepatectomy should be performed in cases with high CTC levels, even if the hepatocellular carcinoma is less than 3 cm in size. Furthermore, in a study of cases in which anatomical hepatectomy was performed, CTC in the portal vein were found to be a prognostic factor.

Free Research Field

肝細胞癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

切除可能な肝細胞癌に対して、系統的切除か非系統的切除かの術式選択においてCTCの有用性を示すことができた。また本研究では、門脈血中のCTC測定の有用性を示すことができ、将来的に肝細胞癌の再発制御につながる可能性が考えられた。