Development of techniques for the early detection of cancer by blood test

Toru Mochizuki, Deputy Director and Director of Medical Genetics Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute
(FY2010-2012)

Aims and Expected Results of Research

The purpose of our research is to extract and select DNA, RNA or cell metabolites from the culture supernatant of cells cultured in serum-free medium, to develop new commercial reagents based on tumor markers, and to use these markers for the establishment of cancer diagnostic methods based on blood tests that can easily be carried out in clinical practice. The aim of this project is to promote the development of a system aimed at the early diagnosis of small cell lung cancer through blood tests using ProNT as a marker, and to contribute to its practical use in clinical settings through obtention of authorization to conduct clinical trials.

Progress made during previous years

We conducted fundamental research on clinical samples by using the ELISA assay kit that we developed; and we have confirmed that the method had enough basic performance as a small cell lung cancer diagnosis system.

FY2012 results

1. We have collected specimens as a preparation for large-scale clinical trials
2. With the participation of a number of companies, we have proceeded with a feasibility study as a preliminary stage before conducting clinical studies. We are planning to start large-scale clinical trials in the latter half of 2013.

In addition, we are also planning to further develop the techniques established through this project, and to broaden the domain of validity of blood-based diagnosis systems, by searching for new candidate cancer markers from DNA, RNA and cell metabolites.