Epigenetic drug discovery for gastrointestinal cancer stem cells

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670577
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Digestive surgery
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: SATOH Taroh 大阪大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 寄附講座教授 (40368303)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 癌 / シグナル伝達 / トランスレーショナルリサーチ / 発現制御 / バイオテクノロジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although histone modification is shown to be an essential factor for normal stem cell maintenance, the involvement of histone modification factors in cancer initiation and progression has been poorly understood. Using gastrointestinal cancer cells, we elucidated the functional roles of the histone demethylase, an essential epigenetic regulator. Knockdown resulted in the suppression of cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. Using this system, the screening allowed the identification of several compounds as candidates. They justify the rationale for studying the effects of the epigenetic factors in gastrointestinal cancer.

Free Research Field

腫瘍内科