Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University

　Lung cancer is the leading cause of malignancy-related death in Japan. High mortality of lung cancer is due to low susceptibility to anti-cancer drugs and high metastatic potential.
　We recently discovered a novel mechanism by which hepatpcyte growth factor (HGF) induces resistance to gefitinib and erlotinib in lung cancer. We also reported that histone deacethylase (HDAC) inhibitors overcome targeted drugresistance due to BIM polymorphism, which is specifically found in Asian. We are now conducting the clinical trials to overcome resistance caused by these mechanisms.
　Since clinically relevant animal models are essential for elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of cancer metastasis, we have established reproducible in vivo imaging models representing multi-organ metastasis, brain metastasis, lung metastasis, bone metastasis, or malignant pleural effusion, using human lung cancer cell lines. We are elucidating anti-metastatic effects of several molecular targeted drugs in these models.
　Furthermore, we established orthotopic implantation models of malignant pleural mesothelioma and gastric cancer. The goal of our translational research with these animal models is the establishment of novel molecular targeted therapeutics for solid tumors, such as malignant pleural mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer and gastric cancer.