Okayama University's Professor Yoshisuke Togashi Receives Prestigious Award for Cancer Research in 2027

Okayama University's Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research

Professor Yoshisuke Togashi from the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Okayama University has been selected to receive the 22nd Japan Academy's Academic Encouragement Award for the academic year 2027. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 3, 2027, at the Japan Academy in Tokyo, in conjunction with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Award ceremony.

This award, established in 2004, aims to recognize and encourage young researchers in their future research endeavors. Each year, the honor is bestowed upon a select few among the recipients of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Award, highlighting researchers with promising futures who have demonstrated exceptional research achievements.

Profound Discovery in Cancer Immunity

Professor Togashi's award-winning achievement focuses on the elucidation of a new mechanism by which cancer cells escape the host's immune response. His groundbreaking research revealed that mutated mitochondria from cancer cells communicate with tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes, suppressing their function. This discovery is particularly significant because cancer cells often show mutations in their mitochondrial genomes, which can be transmitted to surrounding T lymphocytes through extracellular vesicles. These mutated mitochondria are resistant to a process known as mitophagy, leading to an increase in their copy number within T lymphocytes. As a result, T lymphocytes carrying these mutated mitochondria experience metabolic dysfunction, diminishing their ability to combat cancer cells, thereby allowing the cancer to evade the host's immune system.

Professor Togashi's findings offer a novel perspective on the immune evasion mechanisms employed by cancer cells. Additionally, they hold promise for advancing new cancer therapies, including stratifying patients for immunotherapy and developing agents that inhibit mitochondrial propagation.

Words from Professor Togashi

Expressing his gratitude, Professor Togashi stated, “I am truly honored to receive this award. My research has uncovered a new mechanism through which cancer cells, possessing mutated mitochondria, migrate to surrounding T cells, subsequently diminishing their functions. When I established my lab five years ago, I wanted to pursue high originality research based on a unique perspective, and I was fortunate to stumble upon this theme. With much luck and support from those around me, I have been able to advance this research to its current state. I aim to continue exploring innovative ideas and unexpected encounters in my research.” He further mentioned his aim to develop precise indicators to identify patients more likely to benefit from immunotherapies and to explore treatment options that inhibit mitochondrial propagation from both a basic and clinical research standpoint. The professor extended his heartfelt thanks to his collaborators, lab members, clinical team, and all stakeholders who supported his research efforts.

References and Further Reading

For those interested in learning more about Professor Togashi's research area, the following links provide valuable information:

This recognition not only enhances the profile of Okayama University and its research efforts but also underlines its commitment to making impactful contributions to global health challenges, particularly in cancer treatment and immunology.