Research Projects

Apr, 2019 - Mar, 2021

Effects of novel anti-ASCT2 monoclonal antibody on human tumor harboring KRAS mutation

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research  Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Grant number
19K16876
Japan Grant Number (JGN)
JP19K16876
Authorship
Principal investigator
Grant amount
(Total)
4,290,000 Japanese Yen
(Direct funding)
3,300,000 Japanese Yen
(Indirect funding)
990,000 Japanese Yen

Mutations in KRAS are detected in various human cancers. However, there are few effective drugs for KRAS-mutated cancers. Glutamine is thought to be one of the pivotal nutrients for proliferation and survival of cancer cells. ASCT2 (SLC1A5) is a multi-pass transmembrane protein that transports neutral amino acids. ASCT2 is reported to be highly expressed in many cancer cells, and is thought to work as a major transporter for glutamine. We have developed a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the extracellular domain of human ASCT2. In the present study, we examined the effects of the mAb on KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer cells. Treatment with anti-ASCT2 mAb decreased the concentration of intracellular glutamine and in vivo tumor growth. However, these effects were not observed in colorectal cancer cells which harbor wild-type KRAS. These results suggest that ASCT2 is a promising therapeutic target for KRAS-mutated cancers.

Link information
KAKEN
https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-19K16876
ID information
  • Grant number : 19K16876
  • Japan Grant Number (JGN) : JP19K16876