for chronic myelogenous leukemia and which also
ery research. For this reason, the research activities
causes recurrence. This discovery was announced in
are being undertaken from three angles, the provi-
Nature, attracting a lot of attention in Japan and over-
sion of equipment and facilities required for drug dis-
seas.
covery research, the establishment of a network for
Currently, medication with tyrosine kinase inhinitors
obtaining the expertise for drug discovery research,
is the standard treatment for chronic myelogenous
and joint research for drug discovery.
leukemia. However, the medicine cannot completely
In 2012, the first step was taken by establishing the
eliminate leukemia cells, and recurrence occurs when
Cancer Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery Unit in
the medication stops. Professor Hirao and his group
the Cancer Research Institute in order to evaluate the
focused on cancer stem cells which have the capacity
operation of some 100,000 types of compound. Cur-
to produce new tumor cells. In experiments using
rently, the Unit is conducting large scale screening of
mice, the action of a substance called FOXO, a tran-
compounds jointly with the University of Tokyo Open
scription factor, was pronounced in cancer stem cells,
Innovation Center for Drug Discovery in a search for
compared with normal cancer cells. When the action
the seeds of cancer treatments.
of FOXO was controlled, it was found that the survival
However, the Unit is also working on target molecule
rate of the mice increased.
assays (chemical biology) using existing drug librar-
“If a treatment that targets the cancer stem cells
ies. In addition, in order to obtain up-to-date informa-
could be developed, treatment would proceed more
tion on the expertise, techniques, intellectual proper-
efficiently, and the possibility of recurrence would
ty strategies and so on required in the drug discovery
be reduced. We’re also working on research to apply
process, the Unit holds periodic seminars and study
these research findings.”
groups, and engages with experts both within and outside the university as it pursues joint research. “The level of cancer research in Japan is high. How-
Inauguration of the Cancer Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery Unit
ever, research directed towards linking the findings
The aim of Professor Hirao’s project is to prepare and
to be the spark connecting basic research with drug
implement a clear scenario for linking the findings of
discovery and new therapies,” says Professor Hirao.
of basic research to drug discovery lags behind other advanced countries. We want our research activities
basic cancer research at the university to drug discov-
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