Cancer has been the leading cause of death in the Japanese since 1981, and digestive system cancer ranks high in the breakdown by organ. In recent years, liver cancer caused by hepatitis viruses has been decreasing due to remarkable progress in antiviral drugs, but carcinogenesis due to alcohol and lifestyle-related diseases (NASH) is increasing. Gastric cancer also tends to decrease due to the eradication of H. pylori, but the prognosis for colorectal cancer, which is largely associated with genetic factors and environmental factors, and pancreatic cancer/ biliary tract cancer that is difficult to diagnose early, has not been improved. In our department, we believe that it is important to combine basic and clinical researches with the motto of original and clinically useful research.
1) Genome-wide research: As cancer genomic medicine progresses, we aim to apply translational research from basic research (omics research) that covers all gastrointestinal disorders that also consider organ correlations, and apply it to Precision Medicine. Currently, as a representative of the AMED (Japan Medical Research and Development Organization) research group, we are developing multi-center research nationwide. 2) Hepatitis B drug discovery research: Drug discovery research is one of the national strategies. Collaboration with companies, company clinical trials (Phase II/III), or doctor-led clinical trials are supported by Kumamoto University Hospital and the related facilities. At the same time, we hope to utilize these research networks to develop new researches. |