Development of a Novel Diagnostic Method for Endometrial Cancer Using Lectin and Glycan Profiling of Cervical Mucus

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09479
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Tozawa Akiko 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (90569865)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 栂谷内 晶 創価大学, 糖鎖生命システム融合研究所, 教授 (60392635)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 子宮内膜がん / 子宮体がん / レクチン / 糖鎖

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Normal endometrial tissues, serving as controls, and endometrial cancer tissues were collected and analyzed using lectin profiling, leading to the identification of candidate molecules potentially useful for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer. It was found that, for application in an actual diagnostic kit, combining multiple molecular markers is necessary to optimize diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Currently, we are investigating the optimal targets, whether the detected molecules are proteins, glycans, or a combination thereof. Although specific details cannot be disclosed due to a planned patent application for this diagnostic method, we have determined that the initially planned number of specimens is insufficient for reliable diagnostic accuracy analysis. Therefore, we are continuing to collect additional samples and performing further lectin-based and related analyses.

Free Research Field

婦人科腫瘍

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

子宮内膜がんは罹患率が上昇している疾患である。子宮内膜がんは早期に発見できれば完治する可能性が高い疾患であるが、公的ながん検診の受診率は低く、子宮の奥からの細胞採取のため痛みを伴い受診者にとっては苦痛を伴う検査方法となっている。本研究は子宮の入り口付近からの粘液採取によって子宮内膜がんを診断することを目的としており、この診断方法が確立し普及することによって子宮内膜がんの早期発見に貢献できる。