Elucidation of metastasis/invasion promotion mechanism by cancer-associated fibroblast-derived molecules in esophageal cancer stroma

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17696
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Kanke Yasuyuki 福島県立医科大学, 医学部, 博士研究員 (30866223)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 食道癌 / 癌関連線維芽細胞 / 癌間質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to investigate the expression of Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) related molecules, VCAN, POSTN and LUM, in cancer stroma, to provide prognostic stratification for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after surgery. A total of 106 patients with ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy without preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. The expression of VCAN, POSTN and LUM was examined and the prognostic value was assessed. Compared with a low expression level, a high expression level of VCAN, POSTN or LUM in the cancer stroma was significantly associated with worse relapse free survival and overall survival times in patients with ESCC. High stromal VCAN or LUM expression was an independent prognostic factor for RFS in the patients. The present study demonstrated that stromal expression of VCAN and LUM in particular may have clinical utility as a prognostic biomarker for poor RFS in postoperative patients with ESCC.

Free Research Field

消化管癌、消化器外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

癌間質におけるVCAN、POSTN、またはLUMの高発現レベルは、ESCC症例の無再発生存期間および全生存期間の低下と有意に関連していた。また間質VCANまたはLUM の高発現は、無増悪生存期間の独立した予後因子であった。本研究は、特にVCANおよびLUM の間質発現が、術後ESCC患者における再発予測のバイオマーカーとして臨床的に有用である可能性があることを示した。今後、根治切除術を受けた食道扁平上皮癌症例において、現在の術後補助化学療法の適応となりうる集団から、より再発リスクの高い集団での治療を選択できうる可能性を示した。今後さらなる研究を進めることで実臨床での応用を期待する。