Elucidation of the mechanism of HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumor carcinogenesis through the interaction between tumor-associated nerves and the cancer microenvironment.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18259
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: HATANO Takashi 横浜市立大学, 附属病院, 助教 (40807583)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 中咽頭癌 / ヒト乳頭腫ウイルス / オルガノイド / 腫瘍関連神経 / 癌微小環境 / 唾液腺腫瘍

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recently, it has become clear that the interaction between cancer cells and neurons in the cancer microenvironment is associated with cancer progression and drug resistance. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the details of the interaction between the cancer microenvironment and tumor-associated nerves in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer carcinogenesis. During the period of this study, we narrowed down the microRNAs involved in tumor-associated neurogenesis and established a salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma organoid model associated with nerve invasion as a basis for studying tumor-associated neurogenesis.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

癌微小環境における癌細胞と神経細胞の相互作用が癌の進展や薬剤耐性に関連することが明らかになってきており，HPV関連中咽頭癌における癌微小環境と腫瘍関連神経との相互作用の詳細が明らかになれば，HPV関連中咽頭癌の発癌機構の解明や予後不良因子の同定へ寄与することとなり，HPVの有無によりわけられている中咽頭癌の分類をより詳細に層別化することが可能となる可能性がある。今回の研究成果として，今後のオルガノイドモデル作製の成果は今後の中咽頭癌オルガノイドモデル作製の素地となり，研究をすすめる技術的基盤となるものと考える。