Presentation of Joint Research Results at ISEV2026

BioPhenoMA Inc. presented the results of its joint research with Waseda University at the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) 2026 Annual Meeting. This study focused on GRP78 contained in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) induced by the anticancer drug 5-FU, and utilized our proprietary high‑sensitivity protein quantification technology, TN‑cyclon™, to analyze trace levels of GRP78 and its functional impact. The aim was to clarify how 5-FU treatment alters the molecular cargo of sEVs and how these changes influence the behavior of recipient tumor cells.

■ Presentation Title

Effect of small extracellular vesicles from 5-FU-treated human gastric cancer cells on cancer stem cell-like properties 

Akane Sato, Uno Oi, Ming-Wei Lin, Etsuro Ito

■ Presentation Summary

In this study, human gastric cancer cell lines AGS and MKN45 were treated with 5-FU, and sEVs were isolated from the conditioned media for analysis. Using the TN‑cyclon™ high‑sensitivity assay, GRP78 levels in sEVs derived from 5-FU (50 µM)–treated cells were found to be approximately three times higher than those from untreated cells. When these sEVs were added to untreated recipient cells, increases in cell viability and migratory capacity were observed, accompanied by elevated ALDH1 activity and activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings indicate that recipient cells acquired cancer stem cell-like properties upon uptake of sEVs released from 5-FU-treated cells.

■ Conclusion

This study suggests that 5-FU treatment promotes the secretion of sEVs enriched in GRP78, which may be taken up by neighboring tumor cells and contribute to enhanced malignancy. Targeting GRP78-mediated sEV signaling pathways may offer a promising therapeutic strategy to suppress drug resistance and tumor progression.