Molecular analysis for the hierarchical organization of cancer stem cells based on clock genes

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660236
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: OHMORI Keitaro 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 講師 (20466915)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 腫瘍

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cancers are hierarchically organized by cancer stem cells, thereby creating various features of cancers. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of clock genes that function as molecular networks for circadian rhythms in the hierarchical organization of cancers. Analysis for a human breast cancer cell line revealed that glucocorticoids from the adrenal glands and a clock gene, per1, were crucial factors to maintain the functions of cancer stem cells. The present study provides the possibility that a new concept of chronotherapy could be established and applied to cancers in humans and animals.

Free Research Field

臨床獣医学