Shuji Ogino, MD, PhD

Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Wednesday, January 16, 2013
12:30 - 13:30

OLABB 1F Lounge 
(6-2-3, Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874)
*There will be a video broadcast in CDB Bldg.D, E-206

Molecular Pathological Epidemiology (MPE): Novel Integrative Science

This lecture will explain the novel integrative science “Molecular Pathological Epidemiology (MPE)” as simply as possible, using cancer as an example of complex multifactorial diseases. Although systems biology addresses molecular complexity in given experimental models, a considerable knowledge gap to human diseases in populations exists. To investigate heterogenous disease processes in populations, MPE was recently established (Ogino et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; Ogino et al. Gut 2011; Ogino et al. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2011). MPE can dissect complex interplay between environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors, molecular alterations, and tumor evolution. The power and promise of MPE are well attested by our recent study (Liao et al. N Engl J Med 2012) on interactive effects of aspirin and tumor PIK3CA mutation on tumor behavior. We have also shown that tumor stroma contributes to tumor cell plasticity to changing microenvironment by targeted treatment (Straussman et al. Nature 2012). MPE is a logical next step of genome-wide association studies (“GWAS-MPE Approach” (Ogino et al. Gut 2011). Other related new concepts include "Unique Tumor Principle" (Ogino et al. Int J Epidemiol 2012; Ogino et al. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2012) and "Colorectal Continuum" (Yamauchi, et al. Gut 2012). As such, the MPE paradigm facilitates the development of other novel concepts. In summary, a better understanding of heterogeneity of carcinogenic processes and influences of exogenous and endogenous factors can translate into personalized prevention as well as personalized treatment strategy.

Yasushi Okada
Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation

Tel: 070-6800-3931