Investigation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists for new breast cancer therapeutic agents

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15307
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
• Principal Investigator: Yamashita Naoya 同志社女子大学, 薬学部, 特任助教 (50846649)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アリル炭化水素受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists on the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-mediated signaling pathway involved in the malignant transformation of breast cancer. We found that gene expression of HER1 (EGFR) and HER4 was decreased by AhR agonists in human breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, downstream signaling pathways of EGFR and HER4 were also suppressed by AhR agonist treatment.
In summary, AhR agonists may inhibit EGFR and HER4 expression and their mediated intracellular signaling pathways in human breast cancer cell lines.

Free Research Field

衛生薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、アリル炭化水素受容体（AhR）のアゴニストは、乳がんの悪性化に関与するヒト上皮成長因子受容体（HER）を介したシグナル伝達経路を抑制することが示唆された。本研究成果は、新たな乳がん治療薬としてAhRアゴニストの応用につながることが期待される。