HOXB9 expression in breast cancer predicts efficacy of bevacizumab treatment

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461959
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General surgery
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Tetsu Hayashida 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (80327543)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 乳癌 / ベバシズマブ / 血管新生 / HOXB9

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Homeobox B9 (HOXB9), a transcriptional factor, regulates developmental processes and tumor progression and has recently been recognized as a strong angiogenic factor in breast cancer progresson. This study aimed to investigate the role of HOXB9 in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF antibody, remarkably suppressed tumor proliferation by inhibiting angiogenesis in HOXB9-overexpressing xenografts. HOXB9 promotes the secretion of angiogenic factors, including VEGF, to induce tumor proliferation through microenvironmental communication via IL6 signaling; moreover, silencing of VEGF or IL6 terminates microenvironmental crosstalk. Thus, HOXB9 and IL6 may be surrogate markers for bevacizumab treatment in breast cancer.

Free Research Field

乳癌