Development of a novel method for detecting micro-pancreatic cancer using genome function analysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08746
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Hakamada Kenichi 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (30271802)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 石戸 圭之輔 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 准教授 (00436023) ; 三浦 卓也 弘前大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (30722136) ; 脇屋 太一 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 客員研究員 (50571246) ; 木村 憲央 弘前大学, 医学研究科, 講師 (60436029)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 膵癌 / Kras遺伝子変異 / Liquid biopsy

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To improve the reliability of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and timely intervention of systemic therapy, we attempted to develop a KRAS gene mutation detection method by ORNi-PCR as a liquid biopsy and to capture free pancreatic cancer cells in the blood. As a result, the detection rate of KRAS mutation by the newly developed ORNi-PCR method was dramatically improved (47.1% vs. 0%) compared to the conventional method (ddPCR method). Based on these results, a clinical study was initiated to confirm Kras gene mutation in pancreatic cancer resected tissue, and to collect blood samples before and after surgery over time to confirm the correlation between the disease status and the detection of Kras gene mutation.

Free Research Field

消化器外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

膵癌死亡率は2030年には世界・日本共にがん死因の第二位に位置すると推計され、膵癌の克服のために早期診断と治療効果評価のためのliquid biopsyの開発が急務である。本研究では、ORNi-PCR法によるKRAS遺伝子変異検出法を新規に開発し、従来法（ddPCR法）に比べて、KRAS遺伝子変異検出能の飛躍的な改善を確認した。本法は新たな微小膵癌の検出法としての意義に加え、軽微な侵襲で反復検査可能なことから、膵癌治療前後の病勢評価に有用と見込まれ、膵癌治療戦略上重要な役割を担うことが期待される。