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HOME > Publication & Reports > Annual Report 2021 > Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center

Annual Report 2021

Preface

Outline

 EPOC (Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center) was established in 2012 with the aim of solving the drug lag in Japan and developing Japan-led innovative drug discovery and medical devices. In 2015, the Center was merged with the Research Center for Innovative Oncology at Hospital East to become an organization specializing in translational research at the National Cancer Center. Under the slogan of “Cure and Conquer Cancer (The 3Cs),” the “Phase II” EPOC has been working to (1) promote clinical application of the basic seeds based on quality-controlled specimens and information, (2) establish RI facilities, cell processing facilities, and imaging centers that are open to external academia and industries, and (3) establish a fluid human resource development system in collaboration with external academia and industries in addition to the NCC hospitals. It has also targeted establishing an efficient, cross-organizational translational research infrastructure at the National Cancer Center.

 In FY2021, under continuous comprehensive collaboration with the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences of the University of Tokyo, the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, Tokyo University of Science, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Frederick National Laboratory, each division of EPOC conducted international collaborative research and education including acceptance of collaborative graduate students. In addition, unique efforts were made to support exit-oriented research and development, including an education program (Innovation Tiger) for academia seed holders in collaboration with Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPARK).

 In November 2021, in connection with the “Basic Agreement for Cooperation and Collaboration on Development of Next-Generation Medical Technologies and Healthcare Services in the Kashiwa-no-ha Area” signed in 2019 with Mitsui Fudosan and Miraca Holdings (now H.U. Group Holdings), a seeds proximity rental laboratory (Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha) was completed and opened on land adjacent to the Kashiwa Campus. To further develop the tripartite agreement and build a problem-solving, platform-type development center for industry-academia-public-residential collaboration, discussions have begun on the creation of a comprehensive framework that includes neighboring academic institutions and local governments in the Kashiwa-no-ha area. In addition to the development of facilities, the Department of Strategic Programs was enhanced to encourage the development of innovative seeds, and its members played a central role in the establishment of the Center for the Promotion of Translational Research (CPOT) and the accreditation of the National Cancer Center as a translational research support organization by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Research topics in FY2021:

  • A serum microRNA test for pancreatic and biliary tract cancer developed by the Division of Biomarker Discovery (Tsukiji) became eligible for the SAKIGAKE Designation System for in vitro diagnostic products.
  • The Division of Translational Genomics (Kashiwa) discovered the CLIP1-LTK fusion gene, a novel driver of non-small cell lung cancer.
  • The Division of Translational Genomics (Tsukiji) developed a method for in silico analysis of the interpretation of variants of unknown significance and drug sensitivity using molecular dynamics simulation on a supercomputer.
  • The Division of Cancer Immunology reported that Tregs were activated by lactate produced by tumors with high dependence on glycolysis and that PD-1 expression was increased.
  • The Division of Innovative Pathology and Laboratory Medicine reported the role of EphA5 and EphA2 in the interaction between cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells as a molecular mechanism that induces malignant traits in pancreatic cancer.
  • The Division of Developmental Therapeutics established a method for evaluating the bystander effect of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) using in situ mass spectrometry and a method for quantifying the concentration of antibodies bound to the target antigen in tumor tissue.
  • The Division of Cancer Immunotherapy developed CART therapy by introducing a novel TCR gene, and conducted non-clinical studies for FIH trials of various types of iPS cell-derived immuno-cell therapies.
  • The Division of Functional Imaging proceeded with the construction of a development platform for theranostics using alpha radioactive nuclei, the clinical application of which has been delayed in Japan. In addition, the development of new MRI and CT technology was carried out in collaboration with industry
  • The Division of Radiation Oncology and Particle Therapy established a translational research platform for proton beam therapy in cooperation with other divisions.
  • The Division of Science and Technology for Endoscopy developed AI-based diagnostic support systems and improved endoscopic treatment methods at the Tsukiji and Kashiwa campuses in collaboration with industry.
  • The Division of Surgical Technology introduced and accepted cross-appointment researchers from the Tokyo University of Science in collaboration with the NEXT Medical Device Innovation Center to develop devices through collaboration between medical and engineering fields.
  • Six projects were conducted as cross-disciplinary and cross-division research.

 The second director of the center, Dr. Atsushi Ochiai, retired at the end of FY2021, and EPOC “Phase III” will start under a new structure in FY2022.

Toshihiko Doi MD PhD

Director of Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC)