Establishment of genetic diagnosis for metastasis cancer using a new metastasis-associated gene

Metastasis-associated genes (mta1 and mta2) appear frequently in a transfer part different from the original cancer part. The cancers in the large intestine and the esophagus are observed often in the liver. Structure and methylate degree of the DNA arrangements were analyzed by aiming at a promoter region of the mta1 and the mta2. Correlations between genetic expression and the methylate degree were recognized. Cell breeding test and sensitivity test for anticancer drug were carried out using mta1 knockout cells. The sensitivity for anticancer drug was high at the mta1 knockout cells. A reduction of cell breeding ability was observed in the mta1 knockout cells. On a viewpoint of cancer therapy, anticancer drugs should be given to a patient, after giving a medicine which reduces the mta1 expression. (M. Suetake)