New research links embryonic proteins to aggressive lung cancer
Some lung cancers hijack an early developmental program to fuel growth.
Researchers have revealed how proteins usually only active before birth can drive aggressive lung cancer, opening new avenues for future treatments.
Associate Professor Melanie Eckersley-Maslin (Department of Anatomy and Physiology) said the study found more aggressive lung cancers switch on a pair of embryonic proteins that are not usually present in healthy adult cells. This shows some lung cancers have a way of hijacking an early developmental program to supercharge their growth.
"These embryonic proteins change how DNA is regulated inside cancer cells, making it easier for cancer-promoting genes to be switched on," Assoc Prof Eckersley-Maslin told Peter Mac, where the experimental research was conducted. Her research group investigates epigenetic plasticity in development and cancer.
| Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Around 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths are reported annually, and this burden is expected to continue rising without new ways to detect and treat the disease. |
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Dr Janith Seneviratne, a postdoctoral researcher in the Eckersley-Maslin laboratory, was first author on the study.
“By understanding the mechanisms that drive these dangerous cancers, we can start to think about new treatment strategies,” Assoc Prof Eckersley-Maslin said.
Future treatments could target embryonic proteins directly or reverse the changes they trigger.
The research, published in Genes and Development, was conducted in collaboration with Associate Professor Shabih Shakeel (Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology), Associate Professor Ben Parker (Department of Anatomy and Physiology) and Associate Professor Marian Burr (Australian National University).