Research
Elucidation of the mechanism of tumor fibrosis
It is still unclear the reason why scirrhous gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer with severe fibrosis are "intractable" cancers. We are challenging to elucidate the entire fibrosis signaling network in tumor tissues by combining single-cell analysis and functional analysis using disease model mice, focusing on the diversity of tumor stroma. Based on the comprehensive data obtained, we expect to identify the signals that can be applied to tissue fibrosis other than cancer, and to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis that occurs frequently in fibrotic tissues.
Establishment of cancer treatment strategies and biomarkers targeting tumor stroma
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are expected to become a new pillar of cancer therapy, but only a limited number of patients still benefit from the therapy. Therefore, the establishment of therapeutic strategies that dramatically increase the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy is an urgent issue. We have demonstrated that combined cancer immunotherapy using stromal reprogramming (immunostimulation) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors is effective in treating tumors with severe fibrosis. Currently, we are conducting research to identify biomarkers that can be used to select patients who will benefit from this combination therapy.
Research on tissue stem cells and cancer stem cells during carcinogenesis
The origin (roots) of cancer cells vary by organ and tissue type, resulting in a diversity of cancer cells. As a result, treatment strategies for cancer are complex, and uniform treatment cannot be sufficiently effective. To explore the roots of cancer, we must understand how tissue stem and progenitor cells, which play important roles in tissue maintenance and regeneration, behave during cancer development. To this end, we are using mouse models that can trace the differentiation lineage of tissue stem cells to visualize the carcinogenesis process and clarify the early changes that occur at the tissue level.
Elucidation of the mechanism of cancer progression caused by multi-organ interactions
During the process from cancer development to metastasis formation, cancer cells create a favorable environment for themselves by interacting with various cells and organs in addition to the primary organ. We aim to elucidate the impact of minute changes that occur through trans-organ communication on cancer progression and to suppress distant metastasis by inhibiting the formation of a favorable environment for cancer cells.