Epigenetic Analysis of Blood cfDNA in Pituitary Adenomas and Clinical Applications

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09128
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Daisuke Kuga 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (40759932)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 三月田 祐平 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (00848640) ; 秦 暢宏 九州大学, 大学病院, 助教 (10596034) ; 溝口 昌弘 九州大学, 医学研究院, 共同研究員 (50380621)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳腫瘍

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pituitary adenomas, with the advent of new drugs such as pasireotide, are now being treated with a variety of therapies in addition to traditional surgical methods. However, there are still no biomarkers available for diagnosis or monitoring disease progression. In this study, we aim to perform methylation profiling of tumor-derived genomic DNA using blood samples from patients with pituitary adenomas. Based on these profiles, we will identify novel biomarkers related to the classification of each tissue type and tumor proliferative capacity. Furthermore, by integrating the obtained methylation profiles with various clinical data, we aim to develop an innovative integrated diagnostic system that can predict treatment responses and tumor proliferative capacity in pituitary adenomas.

Free Research Field

脳腫瘍

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

下垂体腺腫については、ここ数年、国外で網羅的な大規模遺伝子解析研究の報告が見られるようになってきたが、特にエピジェネティクス解析についてはその他のがん腫と比較するとかなり遅れているのが現状である。悪性腫瘍だけでなく、無症候性下垂体腺腫の長期経過や手術適応については、昨今大きなトピックスとなっている。経過の長い良性腫瘍においても、非侵襲的なliquid biopsyの持つ役割は非常に大きいと考えらる。