New developments in the treatment and diagnosis of the esophageal cancer based on the analysis of epigenetic modifications

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24689053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Digestive surgery
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: HOSHINO Isamu 千葉大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 特任研究員 (10400904)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: エピジェネティクス / microRNA / ヒストン修飾

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We focused on microRNA (miR) and histone methylation. Serum expression level of miR-1246 was significantly higher and it showed usefulness as a new biomarker in esophageal cancer patients. MiR-1246 was secreted from cancer cells by exosome and could participates in cancer progression. We confirmed that miR-375 which expression was attenuated in esophageal cancer tissues by miR expression profiling had a strong antitumor effect, and it could become a new treatment tool. It was shown that histone modification participated in expression of miR-375. NCL1 which was histone demethylase inhibitor had a strong antitumor effect, and it could be a new molecular target agent.

Free Research Field

消化器外科