This book presents the results of years of investigation into glycoconjugates in the digestive systems, particularly in the pancreas. The extensive and detailed information connects basic science to practical clinical science and establishes a foundation for future advancements in this uncharted field of research. Â
The work is organized into three parts, by theme, delineating a basic understanding of the etiology and the pathophysiology of pancreatic diseases. It is particularly valuable that these areas are described along with many recent discoveries, including new substances in the field of glycoconjugates in the digestive organs. The first part describes a method of purification of glycoconjugates in pancreatic juice and the subsequent analysis of their structure. The second part describes a discovery that formed the basis of our glycotechnology. This includes a novel method for synthesizing tailor-made hyaluronan with the transglycosylation reaction of hyaluronidase, and an innovative method for artificial synthesis of neoproteoglycan with endo-β-xylosidase. The third part describes the application of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), which we have discovered to be an effective hyaluronic acid synthesis inhibitor for pancreatic cancer treatment. We have observed the significant anti-tumoral activity and substantial effect on metastasis inhibition of 4-MU, which has the potential to help treat pancreatic cancer.
 This book will be of interest to various researchers. In particular, it will broaden the scope for medical researchers specializing in digestive organs and associated diseases. We sincerely hope that one day this work will open the door to overcoming pancreatic cancer.
Author Biography:
Kenichi Hakamada graduated from Hirosaki University School of Medicine and received his medical license in 1985. His first one-year residency program was at Nakadori General Hospital in Akita Prefecture, followed by a two-year residency in Okinawa, at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital. Since May 1988, he has been back at his alma mater, initially working as a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon at Hirosaki University Hospital, Department of Surgery II. In 2001, he joined the faculty as a lecturer, and in 2005, he became an associate professor. In August 2008, he became a full professor in charge of the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine. He has conducted many research projects, primarily in the area of living-donor liver transplantation. He has also worked on cutting-edge studies on the application of 4-methylumbelliferon (4-MU) to human pancreatic cancer. In April 2023, he was appointed Director of Hirosaki University Hospital.
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Keinosuke Ishido graduated from Hirosaki University School of Medicine and recieved his medical license in 1998. He received his PhD in 2002. At the Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, he has conducted extensive research on the glycosyl transfer reaction of endo-b-xylosidase.  He developed a novel method of synthesizing neoproteglycan using the glycosyl transfer reaction of endo-b-xylosidase. He succeeded in transferring a whole glycosaminoglycan chain to a peptide using this method, which was the first time such an accomplishment was ever reported. Since 2008, he has worked in the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, as a hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon. In 2012, he joined the university’s faculty as a lecturer, and in 2016, he was promoted to associate professor. Professor Ishido currently specializes in the surgical treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.
Daisuke Kudo graduated from Hirosaki University School of Medicine and recieved his medical license in 1999. He received his PhD in 2003. At Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, his research has focused on the inhibitory effects of hyaluronic acid synthesis by 4-methylumbelliferon (4-MU). He was the first in the world to report effectively blocking melanoma metastasis by inhibiting hyaluronic acid synthesis with 4-MU. In 2009, he began work in the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, as a hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon. In 2013, he joined the faculty as a lecturer, and in 2019, he became an associate professor. Since 2019, he has specialized in the surgical treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic and gastrointestinal diseases at Tsugaru General Hospital. He currently serves as the director of the Gastroenterology Center of the hospital. Â
Eri Yoshida graduated from Hirosaki University School of Medicine and recieved her medical license in 2009. She received her PhD in 2016. At Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, her research has focused on the inhibitory effects of hyaluronic acid synthesis by 4-methylumbelliferon (4-MU). She was the first in the world to report 4-MU decreases the biological barrier effect of hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrix and increases the effectiveness of 5-Fluorouracil. In 2017, she began work in the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, as an upper gastrointestinal tract surgeon.  Â
