Dr. Masabumi Shibuya is a world-renowned molecular biologist whose pioneering research has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of vascular biology and cancer therapeutics. Currently serving as Vice President of Jobu University in Isesaki, Japan, he also holds the distinguished positions of Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo and Visiting Professor at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Born in 1944, Dr. Shibuya graduated from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 1970 and completed his medical training at the University Hospital's Department of Internal Medicine before shifting his focus to the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo. His career trajectory took a decisive turn during 1979-1982 when he conducted transformative research at Rockefeller University under Professor Hidesaburo Hanafusa, where he became the first to isolate the viral oncogene of Fujinami sarcoma virus, designated as v-fps, establishing his reputation as an innovative molecular scientist.
Dr. Shibuya's most groundbreaking contribution lies in his discovery and characterization of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, particularly VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), which revolutionized the field of angiogenesis research and created entirely new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. His seminal work elucidated how VEGF signaling regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and vascular permeability, establishing the molecular foundation for anti-angiogenic therapies that are now standard treatments for multiple cancer types worldwide. Dr. Shibuya's identification of soluble VEGFR-1 (sFlt-1) as an endogenous VEGF inhibitor provided critical insights into preeclampsia pathogenesis, demonstrating how abnormal sFlt-1 overexpression in the placenta leads to the disease's characteristic symptoms through abnormal trapping of VEGFs. This dual contribution to both oncology and obstetrics exemplifies the extraordinary breadth and translational impact of his research, which directly enabled the development of VEGF-VEGFR inhibitors now used clinically to treat major human cancers with demonstrated efficacy in prolonging patient survival.
Beyond his specific discoveries, Dr. Shibuya has profoundly shaped the biomedical research landscape through his leadership, mentorship, and scholarly contributions that continue to guide therapeutic development in oncology and vascular medicine. His influential publications have established the conceptual framework for understanding angiogenesis in both physiological and pathological contexts, with his work cited extensively across the biomedical literature and informing multiple generations of researchers. Recognized with the prestigious Tomizo Yoshida Award by the Japanese Cancer Association in 2005 and the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Award in 2007, his scientific impact has been widely acknowledged by the international research community. Dr. Shibuya continues to actively advance cancer research at Jobu University, investigating the molecular basis of tumor refractoriness to anti-angiogenic therapy and exploring new dimensions of angiogenic signaling pathways, ensuring his enduring legacy in translating fundamental molecular discoveries into tangible clinical benefits for patients worldwide.
