膵がんを代表とする難治がんに対する治療法の開発を進めるために

Tohoku University's New Industry Creation Hatchery Center (NICHe) has launched a new crowdfunding campaign with Readyfor, to fund research aimed at developing a novel strategy for the treatment of intractable cancers, such as pancreatic cancer.

The research group, led by Professor Yasufumi Sato, is currently studying the mechanisms of cancer progression, and trying to develop original therapies based on the results of their research.

"Our research shows that Vasohibin-2 (VASH2), a novel moleule we have discovered, is expressed only in the testis in normal tissues, but overexpressed in all cancers, as evident by the cancer genome atlas," says Sato. "VASH2 promotes cancer progression through the effects on both cancer cells and cancer environments, and its inhibition has led to remarkable anti-tumor effects in various cancer models including the most malignant pancreatic cancer."

Of the therapies being developed by the research group, the VASH2 antibody-guided peptide vaccine is the one Sato believes to be closest to clinical introduction. But to proceed with its development, he says, pharmacological efficacy, toxicity and safety studies must first be conducted.

"We have applied for research grants, but it is not enough. Ideally we want to be able to proceed to clinical trials in three to four years, but in order to do that, we need more funding."

The group is hoping to raise 20 million yen for its research, and says that any excess funds will be used to maintain the laboratory and help with personnel costs to keep the work going.

Readyfor is Japan's first crowdfunding company. Established in 2011, its goal is to facilitate socially-orientated projects by connecting individuals and organizations to funds. Since the company's inception, it has helped raise 10 billion yen for over 10,000 projects.

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