Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research

Research Activities

Brain tumors are usually invasive, thus hard to treat. Therefore, various research efforts are being conducted worldwide to develop new treatments. Recently, due to significant advancements in sequencing technologies (such as DNA sequencing), research has been focused on identifying abnormalities in tumor cells across various malignant cancers. Our laboratory is using sequencing data to better understand why malignant brain tumors arise and why treatments are ineffective, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies.

The most common primary brain tumor in adults is glioma, a type of tumor that progresses invasively, making treatment difficult. Gliomas are classified into grades I to IV based on their malignancy. We have conducted comprehensive genetic abnormality analysis of grade II and III gliomas and were among the first to elucidate the full landscape of genetic abnormalities in these tumors (H Suzuki et al., Nature Genetics, 2015). Our findings demonstrated that gliomas can be classified based on their genetic abnormalities, and this has led to the diagnosis of gliomas based on their genetic profiles.

The most common primary malignant brain tumor in children is medulloblastoma. We identified mutations in U1 snRNA in medulloblastoma (H Suzuki et al., Nature, 2019). Mutations in U1 snRNA are the most frequent genetic abnormalities in medulloblastoma, and they hold the potential to lead to new treatments for this otherwise difficult-to-treat disease.

Through sequencing various brain tumors and elucidating their pathologies, we aim to improve the treatment of malignant brain tumors.

Key Publications:

Genetic Abnormality Analysis and Tumor Heterogeneity in Gliomas, Identification of Prognostic Molecular Markers

1. Hiromichi Suzuki et al. Mutational landscape and clonal architecture in grade II and III gliomas. Nature Genetics, 47(5):458-468, 2015
2. Kosuke Aoki, Hiromichi Suzuki (Co-first author), et al. Prognostic relevance of genetic alterations in diffuse lower-grade gliomas. Neuro-Oncology, 20(1):66-77, 2017

Our discoveries were incorporated into the 2016 and 2021 WHO classification of brain tumors.

Genetic Abnormality Analysis in Medulloblastoma and Identification of Novel Non-Coding Gene Mutations (U1 snRNA Mutations)
1. Patryk Skowron, Hiromichi Suzuki (Co-corresponding author), Michael D. Taylor, et al. The Transcriptional Landscape of Shh Medulloblastoma. Nature Communications, 12(1):1749, 2021
2. Hiromichi Suzuki et al. Recurrent non-coding U1-snRNA mutations drive cryptic splicing in Shh medulloblastoma. Nature, 574(7780):707-711, 2019

We identified novel mutations in U1 snRNA and the cAMP-dependent pathway in pediatric medulloblastoma.

Identification of Novel Non-Coding Gene Mutations (U1 snRNA Mutations) in Various Malignant Tumors
1. Shimin Shuai, Hiromichi Suzuki (Co-first author), et al. The U1 Spliceosomal RNA is Recurrently Mutated in Multiple Cancers. Nature, 574(7780):712-716, 2019

We demonstrated that U1 snRNA mutations are found in various malignant tumors, showing that abnormalities in non-coding genes contribute to cancer development.

Join Our Brain Tumor Research Team: Graduate Students, Researchers, and Collaborative Opportunities

With innovations in sequencing technologies, genetic abnormality-based classification and diagnosis have been implemented in various malignant tumors. "Cancer genomic medicine" based on genetic abnormalities is being promoted in clinical settings in Japan, and there is a growing demand for knowledge of sequencing analysis techniques and genetic abnormalities in both basic research and clinical practice.

We perform sequencing analysis of clinical specimens and bioinformatics analysis using supercomputers. We also conduct molecular biological studies using cell and animal models on newly discovered genetic abnormalities. We are seeking individuals who are eager to learn and actively engage in research while studying the latest findings in brain tumor genetics and sequencing technologies. Additionally, we have the expertise in large-scale sequencing analysis and welcome collaborative research on genomic analysis.

Recruiting Researchers, Postdocs, and Graduate Students
We are looking for researchers, postdocs, and graduate students. We welcome those with a strong passion to cure diseases.

Collaborative Research
We conduct sequencing analysis on brain tumors as well as various other solid tumors. With expertise in both clinical experience and bioinformatics, we can provide analysis from a clinical perspective.

If you are interested, please contact Hiromichi Suzuki at hiromics@ncc.go.jp. We are also available for lab tours and consultations upon request.