We conduct clinical and basic research with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms related to carcinogenesis and treatment-resistance acquisition of urological malignancies and development of novel therapeutic strategies. We are conducting research specifically described below.
We focus on the angiopoietin-like factor (ANGPTL: Angiopoietin-like protein) family as a protein that promotes angiogenesis, especially ANGPTL2 which acts on vascular cells and monocyte cells. We are investigating the effects of ANGPTL2 on cancer development using mice to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis of renal cell carcinoma.
We have also established genome wide screening using the CRISPR Cas9 system as another approach to elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Using this method, we found that the mediator complex, which regulates transcription, is significantly involved in the carcinogenesis of Xp11.2 translocation renal carcinoma, and we are analyzing the mechanism of carcinogenesis further.
As a new therapeutic strategy, we are focusing on the activation of tumor immunity via lymph node macrophages. We are currently conducting experiments to evaluate the therapeutic effect of tumor immunity by administering a macrophage activating natural compound to a bladder cancer-xenograft mouse model.
We are also conducting research using clinical specimens. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become available for the treatment of urologic cancer and have shown excellent therapeutic effects. However, there are cases with no response or severe side effects. Therefore, we are attempting to identify unknown cell populations that can predict therapeutic efficacy and side effects in humans using CyTOF2, which is a new tool for cellular protein expression analysis.
Our department aims to acquire knowledge as a physician and skills as a surgeon through daily clinical practice. At the same time, we value the viewpoint as a scientist. We believe that such research minds will be of great help to resolve many clinical questions which we encounter in daily practice.