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Hospital and Research Institute in 2007 Hospital and Research Institute in 2007
AICHI CANCER CENTER
Hospital and Research Institute
Overview
NAGOYA,JAPAN
AICHI PREFECTURE
　
MISSION
The mission of Aichi Cancer Center is to provide
patients suffering from cancer
with compassionate care and the best treatment based on evidence and leading-edge cancer research.
 

CONTENTS
1.Message from the President
2.History
3.Facilities
4.Organization (May,1,2011)
5.Activities in the Hospital
6.Activities in the Research Institute
7.Aichi Cancer Center International Symposia
8.Statistics
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1.Message from the President
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Aichi Cancer Center was established in 1964, as the first comprehensive cancer center combining a Hospital and a Research Institute in the Tokai region, and we celebrated the 40th anniversary in 2004.

In the Hospital (500 beds), a total of over 765,132 outpatients and 158,963 inpatients have been treated during the past 42 years, with innovative and advanced technologies for diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The overall 5-year survival rate of the entire patient population was about 35% in 1965, and about 58% in 2001, this number being steadily increasing. The Hospital was reported to be ranked as the number one hospital for cancer treatment in Japan in 2004 by one of the major newspapers, Nippon Keizai Shinbun.

In the Research Institute (42 researchers), a relatively wide range of cancer research has been conducted, and its research activity has contributed significantly to promotion of cancer research in Japan. During the past decade, translational researches to apply accomplishements in basic biological research for development of novel diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer have been emphasized, and new molecular diagnosis of hematologic and solid tumors has been applied for patients in this Hospital.
Our Center has also provided in-depth training opportunities for new generations of physicians and surgeons specializing in clinical oncology and researchers in this field of cancer research.

On April 1, 2005, Aichi Prefectural Hospital, Okazaki, joined as a new member of this Center and was named as Aichi Cancer Center Aichi Hospital (200 beds). The ward for terminal care of cancer patients (20 beds) was opened at Aichi Hospital in April, 2006.
Thus, our Center has been able to cover from basic cancer research to terminal care of patients with an ultimate goal for the eradication of cancer.

Yuji Nimura, M.D., Ph D.
President, Aichi Cancer Center
Yuji Nimura, M.D., Ph D./President, Aichi Cancer Center
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2.History
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January, 1961 The Governor of Aichi Prefecture approached the Aichi Cancer Control Committee as to how prevention and treatment of malignant neoplasms could best be implemented. In June, the Committee answered the Governor's inquiry by stating the necessity of establishing a Comprehensive Cancer Center.
December, 1964 Initiation of patient services. The Hospital had 333 beds.
April, 1965 Initiation of research activity at the Research Institute.
March, 1968 The present Emperor and Empress (Prince and Princess at the time) visited the Center
February, 1992 Completion of the new Hospital building (500 beds).
May, 1994 Completion of the International Conference Center and the new Outpatient Building.
January, 2002 Completion of the new Research Institute Building.
April, 2005 Aichi Prefectural Hospital, Okazaki, joined as a member of this Center, and was named as Aichi Cancer Center Aichi Hospital.
October, 2010 Owari Clinic, Ichinomiya, joind as a member of this Center.
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3.Facilities
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Special Radiotherapy Unit Research Institute Main Building
East and West Ward International Conference Center
1. Nurses’Residence
2. Special Radiotherapy Unit
3. East Ward
4. Atrium
5. West Ward
6. Annex for Advanced Biomedical Researches
7. Research Institute Main Building
8. Research Institute North Building
9. Parking Lot
10. Front Entrance
11. International Conference Center & Outpatient Building
12. Bus station
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4.Organization
(May,1,2011)
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President Y. Nimura
Administration Office
Director Administration Division T.Ishiguro
N.Kondo
Hospital
Director Department of Gastroenterology K.Yamao
M.Shinoda Department of Endoscopy Y.Niwa
Department of Thoracic Oncology T.Hida
Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy T.Kinoshita
Vice Director Department of Clinical Oncology K.Muro
T. Mitsudomi Department of Clinical Laboratories Y.Yatabe
Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics Y.Yatabe
Y.Niwa Department of Transfusion T.Kinoshita
Department of Head and Neck Surgery Y.Hasegawa
Department of Respiratory Surgery T.Mitsudomi
Department of Breast Oncology H.Iwata
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery Y.Shimizu
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery H.Sugiura
Department of Urology N.Hayashi
Department of Gynecologic Oncology T.Nakanishi
Department of Anesthesiology R.Hosoda
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Y.Inaba
Department of Radiation Oncology T.Kodaira
Department of Outpatient Service Y.Horio
Department of Palliative Care R.Hosoda
Department of Nursing H.Takagi
Department of Pharmacy K.Kato
Department of Patient and Family Support Services Y.Horio
Research Institute
Director Division of Epidemiology and Prevention H.Tanaka
K.Tajima Division of Oncological Pathology E.Kondo
Division of Molecular Oncology Y.Sekido
Vice Director Division of Molecular Medicine M.Seto
M.Seto Division of Immunology K.Kuzushima
Division of Virology T.Tsurumi
Division of Molecular Pathology M.Aoki
Division of Biochemistry M.Inagaki
Section of Central Laboratory H.Kumimoto
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5.Activities in the Hospital
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Department of Gastroenterology
The primary concern of our Department is detection and diagnosis of gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary malignancies and endoscopic treatment of these malignancies. Chemotherapy for unresectable cancers in digestive organs is also our mission. We are conducting clinical and molecular studies of gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary malignancies.
Department of Endoscopy
Endoscopy is one of the most valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the care of patients,especially those with gastrointestinal disorders. Diagnostic endoscopy includes gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), transpapillary cholangiopancreatoscopy, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS), endoscopic ultrasonography, intraductal ultrasonography, and endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS FNA). The importance of therapeutic endoscopy incorporating polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), hemostasis, biliary drainage, and sphincterotomy is constantly increasing in our Department, and numbers of each procedure are now 4700-5500 for GI endoscopy, 2200-2600 for colonoscopy, 220-330 for ERCP, 500-600 for EUS, 220-400 for polypectomy, and 80-100 for EMR and ESD each year.
Department of Thoracic Oncology
The particular goals of our department are to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and to advance the treatment and prevention of lung cancer through innovative clinical and laboratory research. We discuss diagnosis and treatment options for patients with thoracic malignancies at chest conferences every monday evening with thoracic surgeons, pathologists, and radiation oncologists.
Clinical trials are based on work with the Japanese Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) and the West Japan Oncology Group (WJOG), some being carried our under contract with pharmaceutical companies.
Department of Hematology and Cell Therapy
New Patients (about 150 per year) with hematological malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) are treated with a curative intent while maintaining a good quality of life. Chemo (radio)therapy is selected where appropriate and for high risk patients high dose chemo(radio)therapy with stem cell transplantation (allogenic stem cell transplantation from unrelated or related donors, autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation) are extensively applied. We focus on clinical studies for the development of more effective procedures in the field of combination chemotherapy and transplantation. Clinical trials are actively pursued for the development of new anti-cancer drugs, providing leadership in Japan in collaboration with the Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute experts in chemotherapy, immunology, virology and transplantation.
Department of Clinical Oncology
The clinical subjects treated in the Department of Clinical Oncology are mainly cases of gastrointestinal cancer such as esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer, but we also treat patients with other unknown primary cancer and germ cell tumor. Although it has been thought efficacy of chemotherapy against gastrointestinal cancers is insufficient, we are trying to investigate and establish new strategies of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. We treat many patients practically (30-40 patients at out-patient clinic in a day, about 30 hospitalized patients, and the average hospital stay is 10 days) and participate in various clinical studies to develop a new or standard treatment prospectively. The most appropriate treatment for all patients is determined in case conferences consisting of medical, surgical, radiation oncologists, and diagnostic radiologists.
Department of Clinical Laboratories
The Department of Clinical Laboratories is committed to providing a wide range of diagnostic laboratory services to hospital inpatients and also to a large number of outpatients. The clinical laboratories are divided into several major sections: biochemistry, hematology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, cytopathology, and functional testing, which is involved in electrocardiography, diagnostic ultrasonography, respiratory examinations and other tests. The mission of our department is to provide reliable, timely, and informative services to physicians for the benefit of the patient. To achieve this mission, we are also engaged in developing and improving laboratory technology and services through applied research.
Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics
The Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics aims to achieve the highest standards in clinical practice and research. The department provides three major services: pathologic, cytologic and molecular diagnosis, in a wide variety of areas. It makes full use of the most advanced available technologies and highly trained personnel, who are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise. The department recognizes the critical role of pathology as a discipline that touches all aspects of medical oncology and research. We endeavor to foster collaborative study to develop novel therapeutic strategies with members of the Aichi Cancer Research Institute and collaborators throughout the world. Indeed, a great deal of effort focused on this area led to the designation of Aichi Cancer Center as one of the nation's 14 special facilities to provide "Highly Advanced Molecular Diagnosis of Solid Cancer", by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in September 2000.
Molecular cancer diagnosis was approved by the National Health Insurance system in April 2005. We are currently providing practical information to physicians on treatment of choice, including p53 gene mutational status in lung cancer for the prediction of prognosis and drug response; t (11;18) (q21;q21) translocations for MALT type gastric lymphomas for the prediction of efficacy of eradication therapy against Helicobactor Pylori; the detection of micro-metastatic gastric tumor cells in peritoneal lavage using realtime PCR; and the mutation status of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain in lung cancer.
Department of Transfusion
The mission of our department is control of quality and provision of education regarding transfusion of blood cell components and the testing of blood compatibility for transfusion and transplantation.
Peripheral blood stem cells for allogeneic or autologous transplantation and cell therapy are extensively harvested in our laboratory using a continuous blood cell separator.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery
Head and neck cancers include epithelial malignancies of the upper aerodogestive tract and glandular neoplasms of salivary and thyroid origin. Treatment of head and neck cancer involves not only issues of survival, but also concerns about preserving forms and functions such as speaking and swallowing.
To meet these diverse needs, our Department employs a wide array of medical professionals, including specialists in otolaryngology, plastic surgical reconstruction, maxillofacial surgery, and swallowing and voice therapy. Our research focuses on chemosensitivity and molecular targeting, voice restoration and preservation, and swallowing and shoulder function, all of which have significant potential to improve control of disease, while maintaining patient quality of life.
Department of Thoracic Surgery
We serve patients with thoracic malignancies including primary lung cancers, metastatic lung tumors, mediastinal tumors as well as esophageal cancers. Over 160 patients with primary lung cancer, and 50 patients with esophageal cancer are operated on annually. However, patients with these cancer have usually poor prognosis despite of our efforts. To improve treatment outcome, multi-disciplinary strategies combining surgery with chemo- and/or radiotherapy are sought in collaboration with the Departments of Thoracic Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Gastroenterology or Clinical Oncology. We are also active for clinical trials as a member of collaborative oncology groups such as JCOG (Japan Clinical Oncology Group) and WJOG (West Japan Oncology Group). The research programs in our Department include development of individualized therapy of lung cancer through molecular analysis of the resected tumor specimens to maximize treatment effect while minimizing adverse reaction of the therapy. Recently, we are very interested in clinical application of mutational analysis of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene to selection of patients who would benefit from therapy by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib.
Department of Breast Oncology
We are specialized for diagnosis and surgical and medical treatment of breast cancer and related diseases based on all available medical "evidence" as well as incorporating cutting edge technology.
Especially, we are making efforts to diagnose non-palpable, minimal breast cancer and to treat them with breast conservation. We are actively exploring possibilities omitting axillary dissection by use of sentinel node navigation. To help establish a "standard" adjuvant therapy, we are participating in many clinical trials.
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery
The Department of Gastroenterological Surgery consists of three groups, each staffed by expert surgical oncologists. The Gastric Surgery Group deals with 220 new patients every year and actively participates in nation-wide multi-institutional studies to establish and revise standard multidisciplinary treatments for gastric malignancies. Likewise, 250 primary cases are operated on annually by the Colorectal Surgery Group whose activities range from extended resection of advanced or locally recurrent colorectal cancer to laparoscopic resection of early colon cancer. No less than 100 operations are performed every year by the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Group for primary and metastatic cancers of the liver and pancreas. A new and widely-applicable staging system for colorectal liver metastasis has been established by this group.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas as well as metastatic bone tumors. Malignant bone and soft tissue tumors are aggressive tumors, and it is important to resect them completely in order to prevent further local recurrences. The recurrence rate is less than 9% in our department. Moreover, we provide dose intensive treatment, with or without peripheral blood stem cell transfusion, for patients with osteosarcomas, Ewing's sarcomas or adult rhabdomyosarcomas with a good survival rate.
Department of Urology
We are specialized for diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the genitourinary and male reproductive system, encompassing the kidney, adrenal glands, bladder, prostate and testes. With the definite increase of aged population in Japan, we are especially interested in early diagnosis and QOL-oriented treatment of prostate and bladder cancers. Basic research is focused on the regulatory mechanisms of abnormal prostatic growth and molecular diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Department of Gynecologic Oncology
Our Department is the most comprehensive gynecologic oncology center in the Tokai area. We are committed to providing world-class options in technology and treatment for patients with gynecologic malignancies of the uterine cervix and endometrium, ovary and vulva. About 120 new cases of gynecologic malignancies are operated every year. Efforts are directed at improving treatment results by combining surgery with other methods including intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For instance, for advanced cervical cancer, a clinical trial of chemo-radiation therapy using 5-FU and Nedaplatin is ongoing in partnership with the staff of the Department of Radiation Oncology. To improve the treatment for gynecologic cancer, the research program in our department emphasizes three major areas: #1) molecular analysis of mechanisms of progression of CIN lesions; #2) presentation of optimal combination chemotherapy, and salvage chemotherapy for chemoresistant ovarian cancer; #3) development of a new strategy for abdominal dissemination of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Department of Anesthesiology
More than 2400 operations for various kinds of malignant disease are performed annually. We are responsible for perioperative management of these patients in the OR as well as in the ICU. Another important task is to treat cancer patients with acute and chronic pain, alleviation of which is essential for maintaining quality of life.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Our department has major responsibilities in imaging diagnoses and image guided percutaneous treatments. Concerning diagnoses, we have focused on liver metastases and breast cancer. Current diagnostic systems such as CT, MRI, US, mammography and unified CT/angiography (Interventional CT-system) provide high diagnostic quality. Concerning image guided percutaneous treatments, we perform all kinds of interventions involving biopsy, drainage, embolization, ablation, and regional chemotherapy for better management of cancer patients. Especially in the treatment of hepatic metastases, we have introduced many techniques and regimens for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy as a leading hospital in Japan, and succeeded in controlling liver metastases in over 70% of patients.
Department of Radiation Oncology
We have three linear accelerators (linac), 192Iridium high dose rate remote-after-loading system (RALS), and low dose rate radiation sources (137Cs needle, 192Iridium wire and 198Au grain) for a brachytherapy treatment. Features of our Department are conformal radiotherapy as an external beam therapy, chemoradiotherapy and intraluminal irradiation using 192Iridium wires for roentogenographically occult lung cancer. The conformal radiotherapy developed by expresident Dr.Takahashi was a first in the world and has been used in many cases for radical treatment. Chemoradiotherapy is being applied for most cases of locally advanced head and neck cancer, cervical cancer and esophageal cancer. The methods which we generally employ are alternating chemotherapy (5FU and Nedaplatin or Cisplatin) and radiation therapy. Intraluminal irradiation using 192Iridium wires on roentogenographically occult lung cancer has also been developed as a first in our Department. This treatment has promise for replacement of surgery as the first choice for control of early lung cancer of hilar type in the 21st century.
Department of Outpatient Services
Our Department is responsible for maintaining efficient high quality outpatient clinic. Sections of Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Cardiology and Neurosugery have been assigned to the Department of Outpatient services.
  • The Ophthalmology Section is committed to treatment of intraocular and periocular malignancies as well as providing comprehensive ophthalmic care for cancer patients.
  • The Cardiology Section is responsible for solution of heart problems related to cancer such as malignant pericarditis and myocarditis. And this section plays a significant role in cardiovascular evaluation and management for surgery or chemotherapy.
  • The Dermatology Section is responsible for diagnosis and second opinion of skin cancer as well as control of non-neoplastic skin disorders of cancer patients. This section is opened only every Wednesday. Therefore for the treatment patients with skin cancer will be sent to another tertiary care hospital.
  • The Neurosurgery Section is a part of outpatient clinical division and opened every Monday and Wednesday. The staff of this division has devoted to provide the highest quality, the most advanced care for patients with benign or malignant tumors affecting the nervous system. Physicians in the Section have dedicated their practices to the care of patients with brain tumors exclusively. There is no ward for neurosurgical diseases in this hospital but strong connection with the Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Hospital closely. Therefore, in case of neurological emergency and/or operative indication, all the patients will be sent to the ward of the University Hospital and taken care of with highest quality in the field of Neurosurgery.
Department of Palliative Care
Our Department assists terminally ill patients who are suffering from various types of physical and
psychological pain brought about by cancer progression so as to enable them to cope successfully with their illness. Though we do not have a hospice ward at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, all the staff are united in carrying out the hospice program led by the Palliative Care Team to support patients who do not have any chance of cure so that they may spend their remaining time in peace. A psychooncologist joined our department in April 2006 to provide in-depth counseling and support aimed at relieving
patients' mental and spiritual anxiety. We believe that the hopes of patients and their families takepriority over all other things. We not only advise patients about options such as home care and admission to a hospice, but also offer counseling related to financial problems and interpersonal relationship issues.
Department of Nursing
Our department is dedicated to providing a cancer-nursing service with the highest possible level of quality based on the mission of the Aichi Cancer Center. Through the collaboration of physicians and other medical staff, we help patients to cope with cancer and increase their quality of life. Although the duration of time of living with cancer can vary depending on the cancer type, we continue to make every effort to support patients and their families at any stage of the disease.
Department of Pharmacy
Our Department is dedicated to provide high quality pharmacy services that result in optimal medication. We also provide admixture of anti-cancer drugs for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy.
Our pharmacists provide to take medicine guidance to inpatients in wards, where we work closely with physicians and nurses to prevent, identify and resolve medication-related problems. Our Department is also responsible for providing drug information that facilitates optimal and safe drug use. We further participate in administration of Division of Clinical Trials where we are mainly responsible for proper management of investigational new drugs to improve study quality.
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6.Activities in the Research Institute
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Division of Epidemiology and Prevention
Our research activities consist of the following four subjects: 1) Descriptive epidemiologic study on cancer incidence and mortality with special reference to improvement of Aichi Prefectural Cancer Registry; 2) Development of the third hospital-based epidemiologic research program at Aichi Cancer Center (HERPACC-III) on risk and protective factors for main sites of cancer; 3) Development of cancer prevention program for the general public according to the Cancer Act in Japan; 4) Ethnoepidemiologic and molecular epidemiologic studies on environmental and host-specific factors for main sites of cancers in the Asian Pacific regions.
Division of Oncological Pathology
The responsibilities of this division include both autopsies and research activities. In the latter, we are concerned with two main areas. The first is gastric and colon carcinogenesis in man, rats, mice and Mongolian gerbils, including our recent identification of the enhancing effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on glandular stomach carcinogenesis in gerbils treated with chemical carcinogens. Cellular differentiation of gastrointestinal epithelium and related neoplasms is also under investigation. The second research area involves gastric and colon cancer progression and metastasis. For diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to metastatsis, a new genetic diagnostic method for micrometastasis and animal models to investigate new therapeutic modalities have been developed.
Division of Molecular Oncology
Our goal is to determine the genetic lesions giving rise to human solid cancers and use this information for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases. Currently, we are focusing on lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, colon cancer, and hepatoma. These studies also provide an opportunity to dissect biochemical and pathological pathways of malignant phenotypes including dysregulated cell growth, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis. Human cancers arise because of genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, and so we are studying candidate genes, conducting systematic molecular analyses of biochemical pathways, and pursuing global approaches such as microarray analyses of gene expression profiling and comparative genomic hybridization technique of chromosomal abnormalities. Epigenetic changes with DNA methylation and histone modification also identify this as an important mechanism of inactivation of tumor suppressor genes.
Understanding the functions of the genes mutated and the signaling pathways disrupted will provide a foundation for a translational research approach to human malignancies from bench to bedside.
Division of Molecular Medicine
Research in this division is aimed at generating a better understanding of the genetic and molecular bases of human cancer, with the eventual application of the acquired knowledge in the field of medical oncology. In cooperation with medical oncologists and pathologists at the Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, we have been focusing on hematological malignancies, with special attention on genetic alterations including chromosome translocation, and genome amplification and loss. These alterations are correlated with clinicopathological features, and special attention is being made to find clinically relevant genetic alterations. The relevance of the genetic alteration is being studied by the use of in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
Division of Immunology
Our research is focused on the T cell response to self and non-self antigens. Currently, intensive studies are underway to identify epitopes recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which are specific to tumor, virus or minor histocompatibility antigens. These epitopes consist short peptides which are presented by major histocompatibility antigens (MHC). We started to deal with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*2402 molecules, which are the most popular MHC type in Japan, and are extending to other popular alleles. Our goal is to establish firm and safe immuno-therapy to treat cancer patients applying scientific achievements. For the sake, we are also studying animal models of immuno-therapy for cancer.
Division of Virology
Approximately 15% of all human cancers have a viral etiology, but only six viruses have actually been implicated in their development. Among these the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are the objects of our own studies. EBV is a ubiquitous gamma herpesvirus associated with several malignant diseases, including Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal lymphoma, a subset of Hodgkin's lymphomas, some gastric cancers, and B cell lymphomas in immunosuppressed patients. Our research aims are to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of viral replication and oncogenesis of EBV as part of the worldwide effort to combat virus-infected cancers and to develop a novel viral vector against EBVassociated tumors in order to contribute to the therapy. We are focusing on the following issues: 1) molecular mechanisms of switching from latent to lytic viral replication. 2) Molecular mechanisms of activation of DNA damage signaling after induction of EBV lytic replication. 3) Molecular basis for latent and lytic EBV genome replication. 4) Anti-cancer virotherapy: construction of HSV amplicon vectors destroying tumors efficiently.
Division of Molecular Pathology
Malignant transformation is associated with abnormal glycosylation, resulting in the enhanced expression of specific carbohydrate determinants on the surface of cancer cells. Some of such determinants appear in the sera of patients with cancers and are utilized for serum diagnosis of cancers. Considerable progress has been achieved in the study of the mechanism that leads to the abnormal expression of carbohydrate determinants in cancer cells. Epigenetic silencing, such as DNA methylation and/or histone modification, of a part of genes involved in the synthesis of carbohydrate determinants confers abnormal glycosylation in the early stage cancers. Transcriptional induction of some genes for glycan synthesis occurs in association with progression of cancers in the advanced stage cancers, and this further accelerates abnormal glycosylation. Cancer-associated carbohydrate determinants, thus appeared on the cell surface, affect behaviors of cancer cells by interacting with a variety of carbohydrate-recognizing molecules including Selectins, Siglecs and Galectins, and figure heavily in pathobiology and immunobiology of cancers.
Division of Biochemistry
Our research goal is to elucidate molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis through investigations of regulation of cell cycle and cytoskeleton. For this purpose, our attention has been focused on the following areas: (1) Analysis of cell cycle regulation through protein phosphorylation by mitotic and checkpoint kinases; (2) Identification and characterization of novel intermediate filament-binding proteins to elucidate the mechanism of the regulation of cell adhesion machinery, including hemidesmosome and desmosome functions; and (3) Establishment of new system to visualize phosphorylated proteins in living cells.
Central Laboratory and Radiation Biology
The Division of Central Laboratory and Radiation Biology, which fulfils many functions as the Central Service Unit, has responsibilities for the maintenance and operation of various instruments for molecular and biochemical research. In addition to such background support for all of the investigations carried out in this institute, we perform the following research projects:1) analysis of the genetic effect of low-dose and low-dose rate radiation on human cells; 2) analysis of the effect of heavy ion radiation on human cells; 3) analysis of the genetic background of human cancers..
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7.Aichi Cancer Center International Symposia
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When the Aichi Cancer Center celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1994, the first international Symposium was held inviting several distinguished guest speakers from abroad as well as from Japan.
Since then, Symposia have been held almost every year. The topics so far have been as follows;
  1. "From Prevention to Treatment", December 1994.
  2. "Role of DNA Transactions in Carcinogenesis", December 1995
  3. "Recent Advances in Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Cancer", December 1996.
  4. "The Cutting Edge of Lung Cancer Research", January 1998.
  5. "Role of Carbohydrate-mediated Cell Recognition and Adhesion in the Progression and Metastasis of Malignant Cells", November 1998.
  6. "Recent Advances in the Surgical Treatment for Colorectal Cancer", December 1999.
  7. "Cancer Diagnostics with the Power of Molecular Knowledge", January 2001.
  8. "Prospects for Conquering Stomach Cancer in the 21st century", February 2002 .
  9. "Molecular Pathology and Immunotherapy of Hematological Malignancies: New Perspectives ", February 2003.
  10. "Diagnostic & therapeutic advances in radiology", February 2004.
  11. "Forefront of Cancer Prevention Strategy in Asia", February 2005.
  12. "Perspective of Oncological Strategy for Gastrointestinal Cancer, January 2007.
  13. "Perspective of Prevention and Tailored Diagnosis / Treatment for Breast Cancer", February 2008.
  14. "Pancreatobiliary Cancer Update-Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment, January 2009.
Aichi Cancer Center International Symposia
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8.Statistics
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Organization
Number of staff
Organization
Type of profession
Total Administration
Office		 Hospital Research
Institute
Total staff 655 51 553 51
Administrative staff 28 28
Physicians
Senior researchers		 113
12		 1 82 30
12
Radiogical technicians
Assistant radiogical technicians		 23
2		 23
2
Pharmcists 20 20
Clinical laboratory technicians 29 29
Nurses
Assistant nurses		 389
7		 389
7
Dieticians
Other meal service workers		 3
19		 3
19
Research assistants 9 9
As of April.1.2011

Hospital
Patients
 Item 2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
1)Outpatients
　Number of new patients.
　Number of total patient visits.
　Average number of patient visits per day.
　Average visiting frequency of patient
6,697
153,514
631.7
22.9
6,193
154,001
636.4
24.9
5,557
149,769
616.3
27.0
2)Inpatients
　Number of inpatients.
　Number of discharged patients.
　Number of deceased patients.
　Average number of inpatients per day.
　Average patient stay in hospital
9,561
9,501
429
418.4
15.0
9,800
9,789
442
424.3
14.8
9,624
9,594
455
422.9
15.1

Resident training
The resident system was started in April 1986 to train physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients
2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
Number of residents 39 44 38
Research resident training
The research residency system was started in April, 2001 to train young researchers in the field of basic and applied cancer researches at our research institute.
2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
Number of research residents 15 11 9

Training of technical personnel for medical treatments
The shortage of specialized technical personnel for the treatment of cancer is an obstacle in the promotion of cancer control programs. To solve this problem, since 1966,full scale training has been provided.
The accomplishement of this Center in this area has gained an international reputation,and applicants for this training course now come from various countries as well as from all over Japan.
1966〜2010
fiscal years		 2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
Total 5,147 132 105 85
Physicians 3,253 63 59 70
Raiology technicians 223 0 1 0
Clinical laboratory.technicians 565 13 8 4
Nurses 292 4 2 1
Others 814 52 35 10

Budget for the Cancer Center
Revenue
Item 2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
Total
14,695,100
16,579,699
16,760,568
　Revenues from medical Practices
13,174,828
14,746,204
15,049,007
　Revenues from non-medical sources
1,520,272
1,833,495
1,711,561
Expenditure
Item 2008
fiscal year		 2009
fiscal year		 2010
fiscal year
Total
14,544,128
16,005,110
16,138,252
　Expenditure for medical practice
14,215,088
15,759,625
15,932,966
　Expenditure from non-medical sources
323,040
239,485
200,286
　Special losses
0
0
0
　Reserve fund
6,000
6,000
5,000

AICHI CANCER CENTER
AICHI CANCER CENTER HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
1-1 Kanakoden, Chikusa-ku Nagoya 464-8681, Japan
TEL81-52-762-6111 FAX81-52-764-2963
HOME PAGE:http://www.pref.aichi.jp/cancer-center/

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