Analysis of fusion gene of salivary gland carcinogenesis and explore the molecular target agents

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10277
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Hyogo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Noguchi Kazuma 兵庫医科大学, 医学部, 臨床教授 (50309473)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 唾液腺癌 / 粘表皮癌 / 融合遺伝子 / バイオマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We searched for new biomarkers for salivary gland carcinoma. The fusion genes were analyzed in three cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, one case of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and one case of carcinoma originated pleomorphic adenoma. In mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion gene was identified in 2/3 of the our cases, and a primary cultured cell line was successfully established with CRTC1-MAML2 fusion gene. The genetic analysis led to the search for new biomarkers, and LAMB3 and TACSTD2 became new candidates. Immunohistological examination of LAMB3 and TACSTD2 expression in clinical specimens of mucoepidermoid carcinoma confirmed their tumor-specific expression and suggested that they could be used as new molecular targeted therapy and blood biomarkers.

Free Research Field

口腔腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外科的切除された唾液腺癌組織より継代可能細胞を作成し、唾液腺癌の細胞生物学的・分子遺伝学的性質を解明し、分子標的薬の開発につなげていくことを目的とする。唾液腺癌培養細胞で株化できたものは極めて少なく、継続的に利用されている細胞はほとんどない。腺様嚢胞癌培養細胞株では、Hela株のコンタミネーションなど多くの細胞株が存在を否定されているため、米国ではAdCC Research Foundation（https://www.accrf.org）が基礎研究支援をおこなっている。我々は多施設間で協力しながら唾液腺癌組織と細胞株を共有し合う事で新たな治療標的を探索し、唾液腺癌の治療成績の向上へと繋がる。