Analysis of ameloblastic carcinoma with focus on epigenomic alterations

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18490
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Fukuoka Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimoto Shohei 福岡歯科大学, 口腔歯学部, 講師 (70780188)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: エナメル上皮腫癌 / エナメル上皮腫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a primary odontogenic carcinoma that histologically resembles Ameloblastoma (AM). Most AC arise de novo, but there may be a pre-existing AM. Clinical behavior of AC is more aggressive and invasive than that of AM. AC sometimes shows recurrence and metastasis and has a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms of AC oncogenesis remain unclear. Thus, the discovery of useful biomarkers for AC has been strongly required not only for making a definite pathological diagnosis but also for developing a new clinical therapy for the prevention of AC. In this study, we analyzed the expression of the IDH1 gene, a regulator of DNA methylation, in AM and AC specimens. In addition, spatial transcriptome analysis was performed to comprehensively investigate the expression of related genes. In addition, we performed three-dimensional culture using AM cell line AM-1 to establish a cell experimental system that more closely resembles a living organism.

Free Research Field

口腔病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

エナメル上皮癌は歯原性悪性腫瘍の中で最も多いとされているものの、希少癌にあたるため、不明な点が多く、癌微小環境とエピゲノム異常に着目した研究は行われていない。現在発表されている論文は、症例報告がほとんどであり、発症機序や治療標的に関する研究はほとんど進んでいない。
従って、本研究はエナメル上皮癌の発症機序解明および早期診断法、治療法の開発に繋がる可能性のある先駆的な位置づけにあると考える。本研究成果はエナメル上皮癌の診断法および治療法の開発に繋がる可能性を秘めているため、学術的にも社会的にも意義深いと考える。