Tohoku university school of medicine

The Division of Cancer Pathology investigates fundamental questions in the development and expansion of Cancer. Decades of oncological studies have revealed genetic and biochemical background of malignant transformation, yet many unanswered questions are remaining.

First, the logistics system supporting cancer cells need to be clarified. By shedding insight into the intracellular protein traffic and ubiquitination that regulates the fate of cancer-associated proteins and HCV virus gene products, we intend to identify an underlying mechanism of malignancy.

Second, we focus on a cellular population that supports malignancy. Recent progress in this field has highlighted Cancer Stem Cells. Major research goals of the Division include understanding of the Cancer Initiating Cells in humans. By the Xenograft approach with highly immune-deficient NOG mice, we wish to identify novel stem cell markers. Our ultimate mission is to design and develop new clinical approaches to cancer, and we are striving hard to achieve the target.　

The Division of Cancer Pathology also conducts anti-cancer Immunology. The immune system not only confers protection against infectious diseases, but it is also involved in the protection from cancer. Our investigators aim to clarify the requirements for effective Innate and Adaptive host immune responses and developing adoptive cellular therapies and vaccines against cancer.

The Division's mission also includes teaching and training graduate and postdoctoral students, as well as young medical doctors. Applicants who wish to join our team are welcome.

1) Regulation of hepatitis C virus secretion by the Hrs-dependent exosomal pathway.  Virology. 422:377-85 2012

2) Endosomal sorting complex required for transport proteins in cancer pathogenesis, vesicular transport, and non-endosomal functions. Cancer Sci. 99: 1293-303 2008

3) c-Cbl-dependent Monoubiquitination and Lysosomal Degradation of gp130. Mol. Cell.Biol. 28: 4805-18 2008

4) Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis by depletion of vesicular sorting protein Hrs: its regulatory role on E-cadherin and beta-catenin. Cancer Res. 67: 5162-71 2007

Cancer Stem cell, CSC, Intracellular Traffic, Logistics, Ubiquitin, HCV, Anti-Cancer Immunity,