Development of glycan-related cfDNA markers to predict therapeutic efficacy in castration-resistant prostate cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18107
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Hamano Itsuto 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 客員研究員 (40868064)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 前立腺癌 / 糖鎖解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is associated with a poor prognosis, and there is a need to develop biomarkers. In this study, we analyzed biomarkers involved in the acquisition of castration resistance from cfDNA, and found that total cfDNA and androgen receptor amplification were significantly increased in the CRPC group compared with non-CRPC. MYCN, AURKA, and NCOR2, which are considered to be associated with the acquisition of castration resistance, were not significantly altered. However, expression of glycosyltransferase β4GALNT4 was significantly decreased in the CRPC group, indicating a poor prognosis. The expression level of glycosyltransferases may be a prognostic factor for CRPC.

Free Research Field

泌尿器癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

去勢抵抗性前立腺癌（CRPC）は予後不良であるため、その病勢を測るバイオマーカー開発が求められている。本研究では、cfDNAから去勢抵抗性獲得に関与しているバイオマーカーを解析した。本研究では、CRPCと非CRPCを比較し、CRPC群でcfDNA総量、アンドロゲン受容体増幅が有意に増加、糖転移酵素β4GALNT4の発現が有意に低下しており、予後不良であった。本研究から糖転移酵素の発現量はCRPCの予後因子である可能性が示唆されたことより、研究成果の学術的意義や社会的意義は大きいと思われる。