The role of long non-coding RNA in bladder cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18101
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: UMEDA Kota 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 助教 (20868260)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 膀胱がん / lncRNA / ペムブロリズマブ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the clinical role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in bladder cancer and its relationship with pembrolizumab, the immune checkpoint inhibitor. We found that lncRNA could be identified from formalin-fixed sections using a novel RNA detection system, quantitative in situ hybridization chain reaction (qHCR), which is a low-cost and high-throughput method compared to conventional methods. In addition, we built a database of patients treated with pembrolizumab and found that early NLR (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio) kinetics is a useful predictor, and early assessment of efficacy could lead to reduced side effects and medical costs.

Free Research Field

泌尿器科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

膀胱がんにおいてqHCRを用いて5種類のlncRNAの発現を確認することができた。従来のin-situ hybridization法と比較して低コストでハイスループットに行うことができ、更なる機能解析・臨床応用につながると考えられる。また、免疫チェックポイント阻害薬により治療が飛躍的に進歩したが、未だ有用なバイオマーカーは確立していない。NLRに着目することで早期に有効性の判断材料とすることができ、不必要な副作用を減らし、免疫治療による医療費の大幅な削減につながると考えられる。