Graduate School of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences
I am conducting research on the potential of Sulfoquinovosyl acyl propanediol (SQAP) to enhance the therapeutic effects of radiation therapy.
SQAP is a “radiosensitizer” that increases sensitivity to radiation. Lavurchin, a drug with SQAP as its main ingredient, was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries for veterinary use on September 15, 2023, and is being clinically applied to treat Stage III and IV nasal adenocarcinoma in dogs. Previous research has shown that SQAP improves blood flow within tumors, temporarily increases oxygen concentration within tumors, and enhances radiation damage through the oxygen effect.
Meanwhile, the actions of SQAP beyond enhancing radiation sensitivity are gradually being elucidated. Cancer cells break down and infiltrate structures like blood vessel walls to proliferate and metastasize—a process known as invasion. My study has revealed that SQAP alone can inhibit cancer cell invasion, and that this effect is further strengthened when combined with radiation. This suggests that the combination of SQAP and radiation therapy could improve patient outcomes by reducing the risk of metastasis after radiation therapy.
By joining PQBA, I aim to deepen my knowledge across various fields and work to uncover new possibilities for SQAP from more comprehensive perspectives than ever before.