Protein 'switch' determines whether liposarcoma cells will become aggressive
New research from an expert in cancer biology explains what triggers liposarcoma cells to become more or less aggressive and identifies potential targets that could keep aggressive tumors in check. A study led by Blake Wilde, Ph.D., of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center highlights how this discovery may pave the way for new treatment options for this cancer.
A study led by Dr. Blake Wilde of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has uncovered how certain proteins regulate the aggressiveness of liposarcoma cells. Liposarcoma, a type of cancer that originates in fat tissue, has two primary forms: well-differentiated (WD) and dedifferentiated (DD), with the latter being faster-growing and more likely to spread.
Dr. Wilde and his team discovered that a protein called PPAR-gamma acts as a "switch" that determines whether stem-like cells within the tumor will mature into the less aggressive, fat-like state associated with WD liposarcoma or remain in the rapidly growing, more aggressive state of DD liposarcoma. By targeting these stem-like cells and the biological pathways they control, researchers believe it may be possible to prevent manageable tumors from becoming more dangerous and recurring after treatment.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
