Ph.D., D.M.Sc. at Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Dr. Anna Kakehashi is a distinguished molecular pathologist and cancer researcher with over two decades of experience in the field of experimental pathology, chemical carcinogenesis, and biomarker discovery. As an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan, she has built a formidable career focusing on the mechanisms of liver and pancreatic carcinogenesis, with an emphasis on oxidative stress, DNA damage, and molecular diagnostics. Dr. Kakehashi is widely respected for her scientific rigor, international collaborations, and contributions to cancer prevention and public health research.
Profile:
🎓 Educational Background:
Dr. Kakehashi began her academic journey at St. Petersburg State University, Russia, where she earned her Master of Science in Biology (Biochemistry) in 1995. She later pursued doctoral research at Osaka City University, Japan, obtaining her Ph.D. in Medical Science in 2003. Her multidisciplinary education in biochemistry and medical science laid a strong foundation for her path-breaking research in toxicologic and molecular pathology.
💼 Professional Experience:
Starting her postdoctoral career in 2003, Dr. Kakehashi progressed from a research fellow to an assistant professor, and eventually to her current position as Associate Professor. She has held various key roles at Osaka City University (now Osaka Metropolitan University), contributing to research in pathology and mentoring graduate students. Her academic service includes editorial roles for journals like Cancers (MDPI) and Journal of Medical Laboratory Science.
🧪 Research Interests:
Dr. Kakehashi’s research revolves around the molecular mechanisms of chemical and viral carcinogenesis, particularly in liver (MAFLD/MASH and HCC) and pancreatic cancer. Her expertise includes the identification of novel biomarkers, risk assessment of chemical agents, proteomic and metabolomic profiling, and studying the role of oxidative stress and DNA repair in cancer progression. She is especially noted for her work on the hormesis phenomenon and the evaluation of environmental carcinogens.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
Dr. Kakehashi has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. These include the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund Award (2022), the Osaka City Medical Association Award (2018), and the Dean’s Award for Excellence from Osaka City University School of Medicine. Her early-career brilliance was acknowledged through the Japanese Society of Toxicology Young Researcher Award and Toxicological Pathology Presentation Award. These accolades affirm her scientific contributions and leadership in cancer research.
🤝 Collaborations and Affiliations:
Dr. Kakehashi is a proactive collaborator, having worked with institutions in Thailand, Russia, and the USA, including St. Petersburg State University and LyondellBasell Industries. In Japan, she has collaborated with numerous university departments and research institutes on carcinogenesis, biomarker discovery, and nanomaterial safety. She is also a longstanding member and councillor of multiple scientific societies such as the Japanese Cancer Association, Society of Toxicologic Pathology, and Japanese Society for Cancer Prevention.
🌍 Community Engagement:
Beyond the lab, Dr. Kakehashi is deeply committed to gender equity in research. She has actively participated in initiatives by Japan’s Ministry of Education to improve research environments for women and promote work-life balance. Her involvement in national review committees also reflects her leadership in shaping research directions at the policy level.
Publications:
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“Metabolism and effects of acetoaceto-o-toluidine in the urinary bladder of humanized-liver mice”
Journal of Toxicologic Pathology, 2025
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“Nicotine promotes the development of invasive bladder carcinoma in rats”
Journal of Toxicologic Pathology, 2025
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“Comparative analysis of the toxic effects on the mouse lung of 4 weeks exposure to the heated tobacco product Ploom TECH+ and 3R4F reference cigarettes”
Journal of Toxicologic Pathology, 2025
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“Urinary bladder carcinogenic potential of 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) in humanized-liver mice”
Toxicological Sciences, 2024
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“Fullerene and fullerene whisker are not carcinogenic to the lungs and pleura in rat long-term study after 2-week intra-tracheal intrapulmonary administration”
Archives of Toxicology, 2024
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“Characterizing the toxicological responses to inorganic arsenicals and their metabolites in immortalized human bladder epithelial cells”
Archives of Toxicology, 2024
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“Stromal area differences with epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene changes in conjunctival and orbital mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma”
Frontiers in Oncology, 2024
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“Evaluation of the mechanisms involved in the development of bladder toxicity following exposure to occupational bladder cancer causative chemicals using DNA adductome analysis”
Biomolecules, 2024
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“DNA Methylation Aberrations in Dimethylarsinic Acid-Induced Bladder Carcinogenesis”
Cancers, 2023
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“Recent Insights into the Biomarkers, Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-Driven Hepatocarcinogenesis”
Cancers, 2023 (Review Article)