Investigation of chemokines and angiogenesis in the microenvironment of colon cancer, and search for therapeutic strategies

Project Gist

Investigation of the therapeutic strategy against colorectal cancer – focusing on the tumor microenvironment –

Keywords

Colorectal cancer, tumor microenvironment, SMAD4, PDGF

Background, Purpose, and Project Achievements

The morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer in Japan is the third in all cancers according to the estimation made by Cancer Information Center at National Cancer Center. This estimation also showed that over 120,000 patients were newly diagnosed as colorectal cancer, and that over 40,000 colorectal cancer patients died in 2014. We explored the novel candidate of therapeutic targeted molecules for colorectal cancer focusing on the tumor microenvironment, in collaboration with Dr. Ferrara and Dr. Vera at University of California, San Diego. We compared angiogenic factors in the tumor tissue of intestinal adenoma mice and cancer mice, and found that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is upregulated in malignant tumor tissue. We also found that IRDye800-conjugated [99mTc] tilmanocept accumulates in the tumor stroma of intestinal adenoma and cancer mice, resulting in visualizing tumors in intestine macroscopically under a fluorescent scope.

Future Prospects

We are investigating the molecular mechanisms how platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is upregulated in cancer tissue compared with benign adenoma tissue in mouse model. We are also preparing for the clinical use of IRDye800-conjugated [99mTc] tilmanocelt for the diagnostic strategy of colon cancer patients in collaboration with the Professors at University of California, San Diego.

Figures

Principal Investigator