Annual Report 2019
Preface
To achieve its goal, “Cure and Conquer Cancer” (the 3Cs), the EPOC is conducting the following research activities: 1) to promote studies aimed at clinical applications (e.g. EPOC Project Study etc.) based on specimens and information of which the quality is controlled, 2) to construct and operate facilities for nuclear medicine, cellular therapy, and an imaging center, all of which will be open to industry and academic institutions, 3) to conduct efficient inter-departmental translational research and development in the National Cancer Center (Hospitals, Research Institute, and EPOC) with the objective of promoting the mobility of human resources among not only the hospitals, but also industry and academic research staff, as a novel way to develop human resources.
As major subjects in fiscal year 2019, we strengthened the alliance with Shonan iPARK (Medical Science Park) with the objective of cultivating a venture business, and furthermore we established an affiliation with the Cancer Center at Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) at Harvard University in Boston, USA. Thus, we have been constructing a collaborative international research system including industry and foreign academic research staff for early clinical trials. Additionally, we launched a research project of which the exit for medical use has been clarified, using basic information/technologies created by the Hospitals, Research Institute and EPOC. We have been promoting affiliation with industry and academic institutions, The University of Tokyo, The Tokyo University of Technology, RIKEN and AIST from the early stages of research.
The research activities of each group are as follows.
1. The Group for Clinical Research
The Division of Novel Experimental Therapeutics in the Group for Clinical Research has been planning the development of drugs and efficiently advancing them to investigator-initiated clinical trials. This division has been carrying out investigator-initiated novel POC (Proof of Concept)/MOA (Mode of Action) trials using private business seeds based on translational research. Monthly tele-conferences have been held to manage the progress of the development of seeds.
2. The Group for Translational Research
The Group for Translational Research has been supporting efficient TR research and development studies using quality-controlled clinical specimens.
The Division of Biomarker Discovery (Kashiwa Campus) will participate in the creation of the pathological diagnostic standard which will be the basis for global cancer diagnosis. Also, this division constructed the world’s first performance testing system for a test for a tumor marker by serum microRNA using liquid biopsy technology. This system became a subject of the “Sakigake (Pioneer) Designation Scheme” of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare(Tsukiji Campus). Also this division has been aiming to establish cell lines of cancers characteristic to Asia. They have prepared and stored 71 examples and more than 100 cell lines of gastric carcinoma, 60 examples of pancreatic cancer, and 15 examples of ovary and rare cancer cell lines. Additionally, they are carrying out collaborative research with industry using these cell lines. The Division of Translational Genomics in Kashiwa Campus has been aiming to elucidate the drug resistance mechanisms against molecular target drugs. They are carrying out analysis of the mechanisms of drug resistance by taking advantage of state-of-the-art analysis technologies such as next-generation sequence analysis, single-cell analysis, mathematical model analysis, and molecular cellular biological analysis. In Tsukiji Campus, a device for the “NCC Oncopanel System”, which can contribute to the promotion of cancer genome medicine in Japan, was developed and implemented. They also constructed a system for cancer genomic medicine in Japan so that the test results and treatment information may be accumulated in the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT). The Division of Cancer Immunology has been promoting TR research using clinical specimens obtained by the expanded use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), exploring novel biomarkers which hold the key to successful therapy, and elucidating the mechanisms of therapy resistance and tolerance. They have been proposing treatment strategies and carrying out clinical development targeting the mechanisms of therapy resistance and tolerance
3. The Group for Innovative Cancer Treatment
The Division of Pathology has been clarifying the clinicopathological significance of the tumor microenvironment based on the characteristics and clinical information of a variety of organ cancers.
The Division of Developmental Therapeutics has been aiming to develop novel treatment using antibody drugs and developing bispecific antibodies besides the conventional antibodies. The Division of Cancer Immunotherapy has been developing CAR-T therapy by introducing a novel TCR gene as well as conducting non-clinical trials aimed at FIH (First-in-Human) tests for a variety of immune cell therapies derived from iPS cells. The Division of Psycho-Oncology and Division of Supportive Care Research have been aiming to accomplish palliative care for patients with cancer and support for cancer survivors.
4. Group for Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutic Device
The Division of Functional Imaging has been developing the research conducted to date further to make cancer therapy minimally invasive and optimized by using nuclear medicine, optical imaging and MRI as the main modalities. The Division of Science and Technology for Endoscopy has been proceeding with collaborative developmental research with industry in both Tsukiji and Kashiwa Campuses. They have constructed a diagnostic support system using AI and have improved endoscopic therapy. Additionally, the Division of Surgical Technology signed a cross-appointment contract with Tokyo University of Science to enable their researchers to study with NEXT. They are proceeding with the development of novel methods for diagnosis and therapy. The Division of Radiation Oncology and Particle Therapy and Division of BNCT have been developing the research conducted to date further and promoting the development of clinical research
5. Core Facilities
EPOC is considering launching a division to support and manage animal experiments and a research planning and administration division to take charge of quality control of specimens and administration of research ethics.
Atsushi Ochiai, MD, PhD, Director
Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC)