Masahide Takahashi

**Masahide Takahashi** is a Japanese pathologist and oncologist. He is a Professor Emeritus at Nagoya University and a Designated Professor at the International Centre of Cell and Gene Therapy at Fujita Health University in Japan. He is known for his research on the RET proto-oncogene, which is important in the study of cancer and development. The RET proto-oncogene is involved in signalling pathways that can lead to various types of cancer when mutated.

## Education and early life

Takahashi was born in Japan in 1954. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) from Nagoya University School of Medicine in 1979. He then completed his PhD. at the same university in 1983.

## Carrier and research

After completing his PhD., Takahashi worked at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School in Boston. He was a Research Fellow there for two and a half years, from 1983 to 1985, where he discovered the RET oncogene. In 1996, he became a Professor of Pathology at Nagoya University. He served as Dean of Nagoya University School of Medicine from 2012 to 2017 and was a Trustee and Vice President of Nagoya University from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, he became the Director and Professor of the International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Fujita Health University.

Takahashi's research group has focused on the roles of the RET proto-oncogene in cancer and development. Changes in the RET proto-oncogene are linked to various human cancers and developmental disorders, such as thyroid cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, and Hirschsprung's disease. His group has worked to understand the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases caused by RET alterations. In collaboration with Arnon Rosenthal's group at Genentech Inc., Takahashi discovered that the RET ligand is similar to neurotrophic factors, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin. He has also studied the roles of GDNF/RET signaling in the development of the enteric nervous system, kidneys, and spermatogenesis.

After Studying the RET proto-oncogene, the research team focused on the molecular mechanism of cell movement. They discovered a new acting-binding protein called Girdin, which plays an important role in the movement of cancer cells and nerve cells. This movement is significant for cancer invasion and metastasis, as well as for the development of the nervous system.

## Awards and honors

- In 2001, Masahide Takahashi received the Japan Pathology Award from the Japanese Society of Pathology.
- In 2019, He was honored with the Medical Award from the Japan Medical Association.
- In 2020, he received the princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund Prize and the Medal of Honour (Medal with Purple Ribbon) from the Japanese government for his significant contributions to the study of the RET proto-oncogene.
- In 2021, Takahashi won the Academic Award of The Chemical Society of Japan.
- In 2022, Takahashi was nominated for The ISGS PhD Thesis Award Prize.

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Masahide Takahashi
- **image**:
- **birth date**: November 18, 1954
- **birth place**: Japan
- **alma mater**: Nagoya University
- **occupation**: Pathology and oncology