Tumor-suppressive effect of blue light-emitting diodes on colon cancer cells via Opsin 3

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0905:Surgery of the organs maintaining homeostasis and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: TAKEHARA Yukako 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 徳島大学専門研究員 (90846122)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 青色LED / 光受容体 / 大腸癌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, it has been reported that blue light emitting diode (LED) light has an antitumor effect on various tumor cells, and I have also reported that blue LED induces autophagy via the photoreceptor opsin3 (Opn3). In this study, we investigated the effect of blue LED irradiation on the tumor microenvironment, and blue LED light exerted not only a direct effect on colon cancer cells but also an inhibitory effect on cancer-related fibroblasts. It was suggested that blue light may suppress tumor microenvironment icluding tumor immunity.

Free Research Field

癌研究

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大腸・直腸癌は本邦における部位別がん罹患数・死亡数において上位に位置しており、その罹患者は増加の一途をたどっているが、下部直腸癌の外科的治療では肛門温存・肛門機能温存が不可能な場合も多々あり、新たな低侵襲治療の開発は喫緊の課題である。本研究により腫瘍のみならず腫瘍微小環境をターゲットとした青色LEDによる大腸癌治療の有用性が示唆され、新たな低侵襲治療法として非常に大きな社会的意義を持つと考えられる。