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Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology Lab
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A pathology lab that studies the blood vessel cells that feed cancer, aiming for new treatments.
AboutAbout the lab
Studying tumor blood vessels to open the way to new treatments.
The Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology Lab works mainly on cancer research from the standpoint of pathology, the field that clarifies how diseases arise.
The lab was the first in the world to isolate and culture tumor endothelial cells, which form tumor blood vessels, and has examined how they differ from normal blood vessel cells.
In addition to daily pathological diagnosis, the lab studies the mechanisms of cancer malignant progression and the vascular pathology involved in severe COVID-19.
The lab also conducts translational research that uses clinical specimens to connect the results of basic research to new diagnostics and treatments.
Key terms
- Tumor endothelial cells
- Cells lining the inside of blood vessels within a cancer. Their properties differ from those of endothelial cells in normal blood vessels
- Angiogenesis
- The growth of new blood vessels from existing ones. Cancer uses this to obtain oxygen and nutrients
- Exosomes
- Small vesicles released by cells. They contain RNA and other molecules and carry information to other cells
NewsLab news
Assistant Professor Matsuda received the Outstanding Poster Award from the Japanese Society of Clinical Oral Pathology
A research fellow received the Outstanding Presentation Award from the Japanese Society of Clinical Oral Pathology
Professor Hida's review article (English version of the clinical practice guidelines for photoimmunotherapy of oral cancer) was accepted by JOMSMP
Assistant Professor Sakurai received the Society Encouragement Award from the Japanese Association for Oral Biology
ResearchResearch themes
Tumor blood vessels differ structurally from normal ones, and the lab studies the properties of the tumor endothelial cells that produce this difference. It aims to develop new angiogenesis inhibitors that attack only tumor vessels without damaging normal vessels.
*Illustrative imageToward drugs that target only tumor vessels
The lab compares gene activity in tumor endothelial cells and normal endothelial cells, and narrows down molecules that are highly active in tumor vessels and linked to their characteristics. As targets for new anti-angiogenic therapy, it also aims to put nucleic acid drugs to practical use jointly with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It is also studying how molecules that mark tumor vessels can be used for blood-based diagnosis.
*Illustrative imageHeterogeneity of tumor vessels
Taking as a clue that the properties of tumor endothelial cells differ with the malignancy of the cancer, the lab studies endothelial cells associated with invasion, metastasis, and cancer stem cells. In the future, it aims to realize personalized anti-angiogenic therapy that selects the drug and the patient.
*Illustrative imageHow the tumor microenvironment alters blood vessels
The lab studies how humoral factors and exosomes released by cancer cells, and low-oxygen (hypoxic) environments, cause abnormalities in endothelial cells. It also studies the roles of miRNAs in exosomes and of epigenetic mechanisms.
*Illustrative imageCancer stem cells, metastasis, and tumor vessels
Tumor vessels not only feed cancer but also take part in building niches for cancer stem cells and in metastasis. The lab analyzes the molecular mechanisms by which abnormal tumor endothelial cells contribute to invasion, metastasis, and niche formation.
MembersFaculty
The lab's members are faculty, research fellows, visiting faculty, specialized researchers, technical assistants, technical aides, and graduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKyoko Hida
- Assistant ProfessorAya Matsuda
- Assistant ProfessorYuya Sakurai
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Formation of the new blood vessels 2” Author: Patrycja Kowalska, Foundation of Research and Science Development, Poland Fundacja Badań i Rozwoju Nauki / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Toward drugs that target only tumor vessels: “Growth of blood vessels - Angiogenesis -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Heterogeneity of tumor vessels: “Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells Fluorescent Image 2” Erin Rod / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- How the tumor microenvironment alters blood vessels: “Tumor angiogenesis” Mjeltsch / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Cancer stem cells, metastasis, and tumor vessels: “Breast cancer cell (2)” Unknown photographer / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Oral Physiology Lab): “Microscope for Electrophysiological Research and Recording Equipment” Robert Cudmore from Marseille, France / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Biochemistry Lab): “Rheumatology - Osteoporotic bone -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Oral Functional Anatomy Lab): “Gl.submandibularis” Rollroboter / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Oral Functional Prosthodontics Lab): “Making of complete denture 28” Werneuchen / Public domain (cropped)
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