Exploration of novel biomarkers for oral cancer based on exosome glycan profiling

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16829
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Mizuta Masanobu 京都大学, 医学研究科, 客員研究員 (20777875)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌 / 舌癌 / バイオマーカー / 糖鎖解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oral cancer is often detected at advanced stages, and only about 50% of patients are at the early stages. Although early detection of lesions and establishment of diagnostic methods are required to improve treatment outcomes, there are no reliable biomarkers for oral cancer. In this study, we tried to establish a novel biomarkers for oral cancer by performing a comprehensive glycan analysis of exosomes extracted from saliva samples.
Exosomes were collected from saliva samples of patients with tongue and gingival cancer, and glycan analysis using lectin arrays were performed. Glycans with different intensities were identified between cancer patients and healthy subjects, suggesting the possibility of establishing a new biomarker for oral cancer.

Free Research Field

頭頸部外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本邦における頭頸部癌の中で、口腔癌が最も多い。舌をはじめとする口腔臓器は、嚥下や構音に直結するため、早期で発見することが、治療後の機能維持にも重要である。口腔癌に対する新たなバイオマーカーが確立されれば、機能的意義も含めた治療成績の向上につながる可能性があり、社会的意義は大きい。