Research Overview

We will elucidate the pathological chain of chronic liver diseases starting from cell death (apoptotic and non-apoptotic types) and leading to inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. We will focus on the microenvironment including hepatic stellate cell subpopulation and immunity, and identify pathological drivers through stromal-epithelial interactions and transcriptional regulation. We will promote translational research that bridges the gap from basic research to clinical practice by targeting these therapeutic targets.

Bile-pancreatic cancer remains an area with a poor prognosis and many unmet needs. Our group promotes chancreatic cancer treatment integrating precise diagnosis, endoscopic treatment, drug therapy, and genetic testing, with EUS/ERCP as the core. We aim to generate evidence rooted in actual clinical practice and to update the standard of care through OPF and other multicenter collaborative research, taking advantage of the mobility of our mainly young staff.

Based on more than 60 papers published in English since its establishment in 2006, the OLF is promoting bridging research such as biomarker research for predicting carcinogenesis and therapeutic efficacy by utilizing shared samples such as serum and liver tissue, in addition to clinical data analysis. In addition to the analysis of clinical data, we are promoting bridging research such as biomarker research for predicting carcinogenesis and therapeutic efficacy by utilizing shared samples such as serum and liver tissues.

We aim to elucidate the sequential pathophysiology of inflammation, fibrosis, precancerous lesions, and cancer in the pancreas and liver, and to prevent their progression. In the pancreas, we are searching for therapeutic targets and preventing pancreatic cancer by early intervention of pre-cancerous lesions, especially IPMN. In the liver, we are focusing on the role of p53 and sinusoidal endothelial cells in regulating pathogenesis, and are developing a new understanding of liver pathology and therapeutic strategies.

The group aims to elucidate the molecular and immunological mechanisms by which hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistently infects the host and progresses to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We are also analyzing host-virus gene interactions in cellular and mouse models of infection and clinical specimens to understand the nature of the pathogenesis of the disease. Based on these findings, we are promoting the development of novel therapeutic strategies for HBV and biomarkers to predict the pathogenesis of the disease.