New Therapeutic Target Identified in Cancer Progression
Overview of Cancer Challenges
A recent study has discovered a protein associated with tumor progression that may serve as a therapeutic target to delay cancer development. Cancer encompasses a variety of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth, which can metastasize to different parts of the body. Despite notable advancements in cancer management and treatment, several cancer types remain difficult to treat or are incurable. As a result, ongoing research efforts are crucial for developing new approaches to manage or potentially cure cancer.
Immune System’s Role in Cancer Research
In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on the immune system’s role in cancer, seeking to understand how it may either contribute to or combat the disease. By enhancing our knowledge of the immune system’s function in cancer, scientists aim to uncover innovative therapeutic strategies.
Key Findings from Recent Research
A team from the Wistar Institute at the University of Pittsburgh and the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University has published findings highlighting a novel therapeutic target that could help delay cancer development. Previous studies have indicated that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, can become activated and alter their behavior in response to cancer. Specifically, these activated cells, termed myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), can inhibit other immune cells, thereby undermining the body’s immune response to tumor development. This immunosuppressive function of MDSCs contributes to accelerated tumor progression and diminished effectiveness of cancer therapies.
Role of FATP2 in Tumor Progression
The research team demonstrated that the Slc27a2 gene was expressed at elevated levels in cancer cells, leading to increased production of the fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) in both human and mouse cancer cells. They established that MDSCs activity was reliant on the presence of this FATP2 protein. Importantly, by deactivating the Slc27a2 gene, the researchers were able to reduce MDSCs activity and slow the rate of tumor growth. These findings suggest that FATP2 plays a critical role in regulating MDSCs activity and, consequently, the rate of tumor progression.
Implications for Future Cancer Therapies
This study is pioneering in its evidence that FATP2 is partially responsible for MDSCs activity that contributes to tumor progression. The authors also provided evidence indicating that pharmacological inhibition of FATP2 could be a viable strategy for delaying cancer development and tumor growth. This therapeutic approach stands out because it leverages the body’s own defense mechanisms to combat tumors. However, promising as these results are, clinical trials are necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of this strategy in human subjects.
Conclusion
The research underscores the potential of targeting FATP2 in cancer treatment and highlights the importance of continued exploration in this field.
Written by Haisam Shah, BSc
Reference: Veglia, F., Tyurin, V. A., Blasi, M., De Leo, A., Kossenkov, A. V., Donthireddy, L., … & Ricciotti, E. (2019). Fatty acid transport protein 2 reprograms neutrophils in cancer. Nature, 569(7754), 73.