Researchers have recently identified a new target which could help the development of new pleural mesothelioma treatment.
Dr Antonio Giordana is a pathologist and geneticist and was part of the collaborative research team. The team’s aim is to reduce mesothelioma mortality with a combinational therapy, including the new target they have identified.
The study
With samples from mesothelioma patients, the research focused on the PP2A protein. This protein usually suppressed the formation of tumour cells. They found that in tumour cells, there were significantly elevated levels of two specific protein inhibitors, ANP32E and CIP2A.
The high level of these two proteins led to the production of other protein inhibitors, this is a key step in tumour cell growth.
The researchers hypothesized that by targeting the identified protein inhibitors, they would be able to slow or even stop the progression of mesothelioma.
The identification of these protein inhibitors will allow researchers to develop mesothelioma treatments that target them, hopefully slowing the aggressive progression of mesothelioma.
Hope for the future
Giordano is hopeful that this discovery will lead to more; “Knowing which pathways to target will help us improve treatments and patient survival. This is the starting point.”
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Source:
News Medical Life Sciences. (2019. December 26). Study uncovers novel targetable axis in mesothelioma patients. Retrieved from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20191226/study-uncovers-novel-targetable-axis-in-mesothelioma-patients.aspx