Development of cancer therapy targeting the metabolism activated by EpCAM in cancer stem cells.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590389
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pathological medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: NAGANO Osamu 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 講師 (30404346)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 癌幹細胞 / EpCAM / 糖代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I analyzed the role of EpCAM, one of the major cancer stem cell markers, in the metabolism of cancer stem cell to develop new cancer therapy selectively targeting cancer stem cells. As a result, I found that EpCAM expression promotes the activation of pentose phosphate pathway and thereby promotes the reduction of oxidized glutathione. These results suggested that the combination therapy using the inhibitors for pentose phosphate pathway and glutathione synthesis might be effective to EpCAM-expressing cancer stem cells.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学