We carry out researches aiming at discovering new cancer biomarkers.
Tumor cells often produce specific proteins, which are rarely detected in normal cells. These specific substances produced by cancerous cells and detected in abundance in blood are called “tumor markers.” Tumor markers can be useful for (1) early detection of cancer, (2) supplementary test for cancer diagnosis, (3) therapy effect assessment and (4) prediction of recurrence.
We closely analyze cancerous cells to explore and identify the specific substances produced by cancerous cells (tumor markers). Furthermore, we develop methods to measure consistencies of the substances in blood and urine, as well as the least invasive test methods for cancer patients, which will involve less pains at the diagnoses or the treatments than before.
We exhaustively analyze gene expressions in both cancerous and normal tissues (Comprehensive Gene Expression Analysis; Transcriptomics). Study results on how genes are expressed, or not expressed, in cancers can be tightly linked with breakthrough of clinical facts of cancers.
We analyze specific substances produced in cancers (RNA and proteins) with the cultured cancerous cells as well as those brought in after analyses in the Project HOPE, in order to discover new tumor marker candidates. Also, we develop test methods which are less invasive for cancer patients, including tests on blood samples.
We are carrying out collaborative researches with the Experimental Animal Facility to see if embryonic proteins can make new tumor markers.
