Homeobox B9 expression, associated with poor prognosis, is a potential predictor of sensitivity to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861217
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Digestive surgery
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: CHIBA NAOKAZU 東京医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (90348665)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: HoxB9 / Sorafenib

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Homeobox B9 (HoxB9), a transcriptional factor, regulates developmental processes and tumor progression and has recently been recognized as one of important transcriptional factors related to angiogenesis. The purpose of this study is elucidate whether HoxB9 affects tumor angiogenesis and therapeutic response to Sorafenib in HCC. HoxB9 was highly expressed in 29 of 79 (37%) patients. HOXB9 induced angiogenesis and tumor proliferation in vitro, which resulted in poor overall survival. Sorafenib remarkably suppressed tumor proliferation by inhibiting angiogenesis and Raf/ERK pathway in HOXB9-overexpressing cells, and it improved overall survival in HOXB9-overexpressing patients. HOXB9 overexpression in clinical specimens was significantly correlated with increased several angiogenic factors and Raf/ERK pathway.

Free Research Field

Oncology