How cells respond differently to a cancer-causing gene

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have uncovered that a single cancer-causing gene can elicit varied cellular responses, with some cells preventing tumor growth while others may promote tumor formation. Published in EMBO Reports, the study utilized a zebrafish model of liver cancer to investigate the effects of the gene. The researchers found that not all cells destined to become precancerous behave the same way; some enter a state of irreversible senescence, halting division, while others continue to divide, potentially aiding tumor growth.

Chemotherapy often induces senescence in cancer cells but fails to eradicate them entirely. Senolytic drugs, designed to selectively target and eliminate senescent cells, were tested against these precancerous cells, revealing that only some were effectively eliminated. These findings suggest that cancer treatments must consider the varying roles that senescent cells play in tumor development.

Professor Kirsten Sadler Edepli, the study's senior author, emphasized the importance of understanding these cell behaviors for effective therapy development. Notably, undergraduate students made significant contributions to the research, highlighting their role in high-impact scientific investigations. The study, led by Elena Magnani and conducted in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi's Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, offers valuable insights into how cells respond to cancer-causing genes and could guide more targeted cancer treatments.