Identification and elucidation of liver metastasis-associated miRNAs in primary colorectal cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08756
• 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: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: XU MING 山口大学, 医学部, 特別医学研究員 (40645503)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 中島 正夫 山口大学, 医学部附属病院, 診療助教(4日/週) (00875487) ; 硲 彰一 山口大学, 医学部, 特別医学研究員 (50253159) ; 飯田 通久 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 講師 (50554797) ; 吉田 晋 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 助教 (60554805)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸がん / 肝転移 / miRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Despite significant advancements in the treatment of unresectable colorectal cancer, the 5-year survival rate remains inadequate at less than 10%. To identify novel molecular targets for treatment, we have focused on investigating liver metastasis-related microRNAs (miRNAs) in the stroma of primary tumors. In this study, to enhance our understanding of miRNAs involved in liver metastasis, we identified and functionally analyzed miRNAs related to liver metastasis by examining primary tumor cancer cells. Colorectal cancer cells from Stage II and Stage IV (with liver metastasis) were collected, and miRNAs characteristically expressed in Stage IV colorectal cancer cells were comprehensively analyzed and validated to pinpoint miRNAs associated with liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. Additionally, we explored the regulatory functions of these miRNAs in cancer metastasis at both cellular and animal levels.

Free Research Field

医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は大腸癌肝転移に関与する癌細胞と間質細胞間の情報伝達をより正確に検出するために、LCM 法を用いて癌細胞だけを精製してmiRNAの発現を解析し、より明確に大腸癌肝転移に関わるmiRNAの同定をした。本研究により、大腸癌の肝転移について新たな治療ターゲットを開発することが期待できる。