Application to molecular targeted therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer of kampo medicines having c-Met inhibitory activity

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24590896
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General internal medicine (including Psychosomatic medicine)
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: HANAWA Toshihiko 北里大学, 東洋医学総合研究所, 教授 (40164892)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): HYUGA Sumiko 北里大学, 東洋医学総合研究所, 室長補佐 (60353471)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HYUGA Masashi 国立医薬品食品衛生研究所, 主任研究官 (50251658)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 漢方薬 / 麻黄 / 薬剤耐性肺がん / エルロチニブ / Met / EGFR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as erlotinib have shown marked therapeutic effects against non-small-cell lung cancer with activated EGFR. However, almost the tumors acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs after a few years. One of the mechanisms for acquired resistance is Met gene amplification. The combination of EGFR-TKI and Met inhibitor is considered to be effective against the EGFR-TKI resistant tumor, but the Met inhibitors have not yet been pharmaceuticals. We have previously clarified that Ephedra herb, a component of kampo medicines, inhibits the tyrosine phosphorylation of Met. In this study, we revealed that the combination of erlotinib and Ephedra herb prevented the growth of the EGFR-TKI resistant non-small-cell lung cancer H1993 cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that Ephedra herb reduced the expression levels of both Met and EGFR in H1993 cells.

Free Research Field

東洋医学