How Cells Respond Differently to a Cancer-Causing Gene
Chemotherapies frequently cause cancer cells to enter senescence, but do not fully eliminate these cells. Therefore, it is useful to target these therapy-induced senescent cells with senolytics that eliminate them. The post How Cells Respond Differently to a Cancer-Causing Gene appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News .
Scientists at NYU Abu Dhabi have found that a single cancer-causing gene can elicit varied cellular responses, with some responses inhibiting tumor growth while others may promote tumor development. The study, titled "UHRF1 overexpression generates senescent states with different T53 dependencies," published in EMBO Reports, uncovered that a gene can initiate multiple forms of cellular senescence, a natural mechanism wherein damaged cells cease dividing to thwart cancer development.
To investigate the initial cellular reaction to a cancer-causing gene, researchers utilized a zebrafish model of liver cancer, revealing that some precancerous cells enter a terminal senescence state, incapable of generating tumors, while others regain the capacity to divide and potentially contribute to cancer progression. Many chemotherapy drugs induce senescence in cancer cells but do not eradicate them entirely.
Consequently, targeting these therapy-induced senescent cells with senolytics, which eliminate them, may prove beneficial. The researchers tested a common senolytic and discovered that it proved effective against only certain precancerous cells, not all. These findings imply that therapies targeting senescent cells must consider the diverse ways these cells function.
Professor of Biology at NYU Abu Dhabi and senior author Kirsten Sadler Edepli, PhD, commented, "Cancer is not simply a matter of whether a cell stops dividing or continues to grow. Our study shows that there are different types of cellular senescence, and depending on the type acquired by a pre-cancerous cell, the outcome can make the difference between turning into a cancer cell or not."
The study's implications for cancer treatment are significant, as it highlights the potential value of undergraduate researchers in high-impact research when provided with direct engagement in critical scientific questions and dedicated mentorship.
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