Development of immune biomarkers by turmoral microbiome in head and neck cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18331
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Sawabe Michi 愛知県がんセンター(研究所), 腫瘍免疫制御TR分野, 研究員 (30790711)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fluorouracil (FU) is an antitumor agent that works by inhibiting folic acid-mediated one-carbon metabolism. The chemosensitivity of patients to induction chemotherapy (IC) involving FU in head and neck cancer varies due to differences in prediagnostic folic acid intake. Folic acid is believed to play a role in the development of cancer through folic acid-mediated one-carbon metabolism. To investigate this hypothesis, a cohort study was conducted on 504 patients diagnosed with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) at stage III or IV.
The results of the study revealed a significant variation in the association between prediagnostic folic acid intake and HNSCC survival, particularly in cases where FU-containing IC was administered. This suggests that the status of folic acid during carcinogenesis contributes to the heterogeneity observed in HNSCC, specifically in terms of one-carbon metabolism.

Free Research Field

頭頚部癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により頭頸部癌の異質性の原因が、それまでの環境要因であることを示す。頭頸部癌の異質性を多方面より評価することで、治療への応用にも応用が期待できる。