Tumor microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and dynamic. Hypoxic, acidic, and nutrients-depleted microenvironments exist in solid tumors and induce malignant phenotype and chemo/radioresistance of cancer cells (Figure 1). We aim to elucidate molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular adaptive responses to the tumor-specific microenvironment and malignant progression of cancer cells in order to understand the nature of cancers and lead to the development of novel strategies for cancer therapy (Figure 2).

 

Fig. 1．Hypoxic cancer cells (green) lying distant from blood vessels (blue) are relatively resistant to DNA damage (red) after radiotherapy.

Fig. 2．We aim to elucidate the nature of cancer and establish novel treatment strategies by elucidating gene networks responsible for adaptive response of cancer cells to hypoxic microenvironment.

• Cellular adaptive responses to tumor microenvironment, e.g. hypoxia
• Molecular mechanisms underlying malignant progression and chemo/radioresistance of cancer cells
• Molecular mechanisms underlying the onset of hypoxia-associated diseases