M.D., Ph.D. Professor Takashi Mizowaki
We are developing innovative radiotherapy technology to eradicate cancers. In molecular biological research, we investigate causes for radioresistances and create methods to overcome them by analyzing DNA, RNA, proteins, etc., in experimental samples and clinical human cancer samples. In physical engineering research, we are driving forward high-precision radiotherapy such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiotherapy, and four-dimensional radiotherapy. We welcome the participation of physicians, biologists, and physical engineers who are interested in these translational approaches to cancer therapy.
Research and Education
Biological approach
We are promoting a wide range of basic cancer research, including the development of new radiosensitizers, comprehensive analysis to identify factors contributing to tumor radio-resistance, research on neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as a mechanism of cancer metastasis, and omics analysis using clinical specimens. In addition, we collaborate with Radiation Biology Center for research on hypoxia, a tumor-specific microenvironment, and with Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science for research on boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and immune-radiotherapy.
Physical engineering approach
We are developing a high-precision image-guided radiation therapy system (OXRAY) in collaboration with a domestic company. In particular, we are advancing the development of innovative irradiation techniques such as high-precision radiotherapy and innovative beam delivery techniques, including dynamic tumor-tracking and Dynamic SwingArc irradiation. Our final goal is to perform personalized radiotherapy based on molecular tracking radiotherapy, which fuses biological approaches with physical techniques.
Clinical research
We aim to apply results from radiobiological and physical research to clinical practice. We are conducting clinical trials on multidisciplinary treatment, which combines high-precision radiotherapy with surgery/chemotherapy.
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs, shown in green) triggered by intravascular redox imbalance entrap circulating tumor cells (shown in red) at the lungs and promote pulmonary metastasis.
High-precision image-guided radiation therapy device (OXRAY)
Recent Publications
- Matsuo Y, Hiraoka M, Karasawa K, Kokubo M, Sakamoto T, Mukumoto N, Nakamura M, Morita S, Mizowaki T. Multi-institutional phase II study on the safety and efficacy of dynamic tumor tracking-stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung tumors. Radiother Oncol. 2022;172:18-22. doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2022.04.028
- Nakamura K, Ikeda I, Inokuchi H, Aizawa R, Ogata T, Akamatsu S, Kobayashi T, Mizowaki T. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer for 3 Weeks. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2023 Nov-Dec;13(6):e530-e537. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2023.06.004. Epub 2023 Jul 4.
- Inoue M, Enomoto M, Yoshimura M, Mizowaki T. Pharmacological inhibition of sodium-calcium exchange activates NADPH oxidase and induces infection-independent NETotic cell death. Redox Biology, 2021 ;43:101983. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021. 101983.
- Dosimetric verification of four dose calculation algorithms for spine stereotactic body radiotherapy. Hirashima H, Nakamura M, Nakamura K, Matsuo Y, Mizowaki T. J Radiat. Res., 65, 109~118, 2024
- Population-based asymmetric margins for moving targets in real-time tumor tracking. Kito S, Mukumoto N, Nakamura M, Tanabe H, Karasawa K, Kokubo M, Sakamoto T, Iizuka Y, Yoshimura M, Matsuo Y, Hiraoka M, Mizowaki T. Med. Phys., 51, 1561~1570, 2024
Laboratory
Professor：Takashi Mizowaki
Associate professor：Michio Yoshimura
Senior lecturer：Katsuyuki Sakanaka・Yusuke Iiduka
Senior lecturer (KyotoUniversity Hospital)：Aya Nakajima・Ryota Nakashima
Assistant professor：Megumi Uto・Yuka Ono・Rihito Aizawa
Program-specific assistant professor：Noriko Kishi・Hiraku Iramina・Hideaki Hirashima・Takanori Adachi・Yukako Kishigami
TEL：+81-75-751-3417
FAX：+81-75-771-9749
e-mail：radonc_office@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
URL：http://radiotherapy.kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp