Unveiling the Secrets of Shape-Shifting Cancers
The battle against cancer is an ongoing challenge, and some tumors seem to have a master plan of their own. These cunning cancers, especially carcinomas, have a unique ability to transform and evade treatment. Professor Christopher Vakoc from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) describes them as "notoriously plastic in their cellular identity."
But here's where it gets controversial: some of these tumors can change their appearance and even escape the grasp of cancer treatments. Recent studies from the Vakoc lab have shed light on this complex issue, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against two particularly challenging carcinomas.
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications, CSHL researchers identified a protein that acts as a gatekeeper for pancreatic cancer cells. This protein determines whether the cells maintain their original form or undergo a transformation, resembling skin cells. Meanwhile, another study in Cell Reports revealed the crystal structure of a group of proteins crucial to tuft cell lung cancer.
"This latest finding is a full-circle moment for us," explains Vakoc. In 2018, his team discovered tuft cell lung cancer while searching for epigenetic factors that fuel tumor growth. Now, in collaboration with CSHL's Director of Research, Leemor Joshua-Tor, they've potentially found an epigenetic therapy to halt this cancer's progression.
The two studies are part of Vakoc's long-term goal to identify the "master regulators" of cellular identity. These master regulators could be the key to developing new targeted therapies, much like the hormone treatments used for breast and prostate cancers.
Vakoc emphasizes the need for precision: "We're setting a higher bar for specificity when it comes to new cancer targets and treatments." The lab's latest studies, targeting pancreatic and lung cancers in mouse models, show no signs of toxicity or damage to vital organs.
The ultimate aim is not just to develop new medicines but to gain a deeper understanding of cellular identity. By doing so, they hope to establish a new standard of care, offering more effective and safer treatments for patients.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, founded in 1890, has been at the forefront of biomedical research and education. With a focus on cancer, neuroscience, plant biology, and quantitative biology, the Laboratory has employed over 1,000 people, including 600 scientists, students, and technicians. Their work continues to push the boundaries of medical science, offering hope to those affected by cancer.
SOURCE: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
