Radiation Effect Research Group

Our Research Focus

High-LET particle beams, such as carbon ion beams used in cancer treatment, induce various cellular responses. Among these responses, certain responses specific to high LET particle beams are also known. Utilizing these biological characteristics, we are investigating the development of effective treatments and irradiation methods for cancers that are resistant to conventional treatments, as well as applications for diseases other than cancer.​ Furthermore, we are actively collaborating with external research institutions on studies aimed at evaluating the effects of high-LET particle beams on various organisms, and on their applications in breeding.​

Research Themes

1. Fundamental Biological Research for Advanced Cancer Treatment using Heavy Ion Beams
2. Mechanism Analysis to Develop Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Heart Disease
3. Application of Heavy Ion Beams to Biological Research: Ion Beam Breeding

Proliferating glioma cell line (spheroid, upper left) and pancreatic cancer cell line (lower left)

DNA double-strand breaks (red) formed by irradiation with SPICE on cell nuclei (green) (right)

​Member  

Shimokawa Takashi Group Leader

• Kinpara Susumu Senior Researcher
• Kobayashi Alisa Senior Researcher
• Suzuki Saaya Technical Staff
• Furukawa Akira Senior Staff

Selected Publications

Cancer research

1. Ma L.,Li Y.,Sakamoto Y.,Xie L.,Suzuki S.,Yoshida Y.,Sui L.,Guo G.,Wen J.,Ren W.,Kakimi K.,Osada K.,Takahashi A.,Shimokawa T.:Optimal radiation dose to induce an abscopal effect by combining carbon-ion radiotherapy and anti-CTLA4　antibody.Neoplasia,60,101099(2024)
2. Naito E.,Igawa K.,Takada S.,Haga K.,Yortchan W.,Suebsamarn O.,Kobayashi R.,Yamazaki M.,Tanuma J-i.,Hamano T.:The effects of carbon-ion beam irradiation on three-dimensional in vitro models of normal oral mucosa and oral cancer:development of a novel tool to evaluate cancer therapy.In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Animal,1-16,(2024)
3. Kobayashi A.,Hiroyama Y.,Mamiya T.,Oikawa M.,Konishi T.:The COX-2/PGE2 Response Pathway Upregulates Radioresistance in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells through Radiation-Induced Bystander Signaling.Biology,​12(11),1368, (2023)
4. Ma LQ.,Sakamoto Y.,Ando K.,Fujita H.,Takahashi A.,Takeshima T.,Otsuka H.,Ebner DK.,Kakimi K.,Imai T.,Shimokawa T.:Th Balance-Related Host Genetic Background Affects the Therapeutic Effects of Combining Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy With Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy.International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics,112,780-789,(2022)
5. Helm A.,Tinganelli W.,Simoniello P.,Kurosawa F.,Fournier C.,Shimokawa T.,Durante M.:Reduction of Lung Metastases in a Mouse Osteosarcoma Model Treated With Carbon Ions and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics,109,594-602,(2021)

Heart Disease Research

1. Amino M.,Wakatsuki M.,Mori S.,Shimokawa T.,Kabuki S.,Kunieda E.,Hashimoto J.,Yamashita T.,Yagishita A.,Ikari Y.,Yoshioka K.: Case of Successful Sympathetic Nerve Modulation by Targeted Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol,29,e70020,(2024)
2. Amino M.,Yamazaki M.,Yoshioka K.,Kawabe N,Tanaka S.,Shimokawa T.,Niwa R.,Tomii N.,Kabuki S.,Kunieda E.,Yagishita A.,Ikari Y.,Kodama I.:Heavy Ion Irradiation Reduces Vulnerability to Atrial Tachyarrhythmias-Gap Junction and Sympathetic Neural Remodeling.Circulation Journal,87,1016-1026,(2023)

Ion Beam Breeding Research

1. Furukawa K.,Ono Y.,Shimokawa T.,Kitamura H.,Abe T.,Ebisuzaki T.,Saito N.,Wada S.,Sato S.,Tabata S.,Matsuyama T:Intracultivar DNA identification in Cymbidium using DNA polymorphisms generated using simple genome scanning with random primers and heavy-ion beam irradiation.Scientia Horticulturae.337,113598,(2024)
2. Noguchi T.,Nishiyama R.,Shimokawa T.,Yamada K.,Kagawa Y.:Simultaneous production of cellobiose and xylobiose from alkali-treated bagasse using cellulase secreted by Fe-ion-irradiated.Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering,134,491-495 (2022)
3. Hosoguchi T.,Uchiyama Y.,Komazawa H.,Yahata M.,Shimokawa T.,Tominaga A.:Effect of Three Types of Ion Beam Irradiation on Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) In Vitro Shoots with Mutagenesis Efficiency.Plants-Basel,10,(2021)