Project Leader

Graduated from the Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

•2010: Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, USA)

•2012: Senior Fellow, University of Washington School of Medicine (Seattle, USA)

•2016: Researcher, National Cancer Center Research Institute (Tokyo, Japan)

•2022: Project Leader, Tochigi Cancer Center Research Institute (Tochigi, Japan)

•2022: Visiting Researcher, National Cancer Center Research Institute (Tokyo, Japan)

•Board Member, Japanese Patient-Derived Cancer Model Association

•Board Member, Japanese Society for Human Cell Biology

•Japanese Cancer Association

•Japanese Society for Sarcoma Research

•Japan Proteome Society

•Japanese Clinical Proteogenomics Society

•Japanese Electrophoresis Society

Researcher (Concurrent Appointment in Esophagogastric Surgery)

•2011: Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine

•2011: Resident, Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital

•2012: Resident, Keio University Hospital

•2013: Surgeon, Isehara Kyodo Hospital

•2014: Surgeon, Ota Memorial Hospital

•2015: Assistant Professor, General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Keio University

•2018: Specialist Trainee in Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan

•2019: Surgeon, Tochigi Cancer Center

•2024: Surgeon, Tochigi Cancer Center, Concurrent Appointment as Researcher

•Japan Surgical Society

•Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery

•Japanese Gastric Cancer Association

•Japan Esophageal Society

•Japanese Society of Medical Oncology

•Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery

•Japanese Association of Cancer Therapy

•Japanese Cancer Association

•Japanese Society of Clinical Surgery

The Medical Seeds Exploration Project aims to develop novel therapeutic approaches through research using clinical specimens, with a primary focus on gastric cancer. By utilizing clinical specimens accompanied by clinicopathological data, the project seeks to identify biomarkers that assist in treatment selection.

Gastric cancer treatment typically involves preoperative chemotherapy to shrink tumors and enable surgical resection, even for tumors initially deemed inoperable. However, some tumors are resistant to chemotherapy, making it critical to predict drug efficacy beforehand to improve treatment outcomes.

This project focuses on culturing cancer cells from clinical specimens, such as endoscopic biopsy samples, to conduct drug sensitivity testing. By predicting drug responsiveness before treatment, the project aims to enhance therapeutic precision.

The malignant nature of cancer cells varies between cases, influencing their response to treatment. Proteins play a key role in determining these characteristics. While numerous cancer-related proteins that regulate metastasis and chemotherapy resistance have been identified, much remains unknown. Comprehensive analysis of these proteins can help predict drug efficacy and post-treatment prognosis.

This project uses biopsy samples to conduct a thorough analysis of the proteins expressed in cancer cells. By identifying biomarkers, the project supports the development of more effective treatment strategies.

Translational research bridges clinical and basic sciences by addressing clinical questions through fundamental research and translating basic findings into new treatments. This project employs cutting-edge research techniques to systematically investigate molecular abnormalities in tumor cells.

Collaboration with universities, corporations, and hospitals enables interdisciplinary research to uncover the molecular basis of clinically significant phenomena such as metastasis, recurrence, and treatment resistance. Rapid advancements in research technologies now make

previously impossible studies feasible, driving innovative solutions to clinical challenges.

This project seeks to deliver findings that can directly benefit clinical practice by integrating clinical ideas with advanced research techniques.

Cancer models, including cell lines and animal models, are indispensable for evaluating drug efficacy and conducting molecular analyses. These models must closely mimic the characteristics of tumors in the human body. The project focuses on establishing cell lines and organoids from clinical specimens to develop models resembling in vivo tumors.

Cancer models are essential for evaluating the safety and efficacy of anticancer drugs before clinical application and for validating biomarkers or therapeutic targets identified through comprehensive analysis.

This project advances the development of effective, low-side-effect treatments and innovative diagnostic techniques by establishing and utilizing cancer models.