by A recent study carried out by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has unveiled a potential breakthrough in the treatment of aggressive kidney cancer. The study, recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, delves into the impact of blocking the MYC tumor protein in kidney cancer cells, leading to an intriguing increase in fat droplets closely linked to tumor growth.
Through their experiments, the research team was able to observe a notable surge in fat droplets after inhibiting the activity of the MYC protein in kidney cancer cells. Further investigations revealed that the formation of these fat droplets could be impeded by depriving the cells of glutamine, owing to alterations in the amino acid’s metabolism.
One pivotal discovery from the study is the identification of the HILPDA protein as a key player in controlling this process, particularly in certain forms of kidney cancer, where its expression is notably absent in normal kidney cells. Shedding light on the mechanisms behind kidney cancer progression, Lourdes Sainero Alcolado, a Post Doc and member of the Marie Arsenian Henriksson Lab at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor, and Cell Biology at KI, highlighted the importance of these findings.
Moreover, the researchers explored the expression of the HILPDA protein in various types of tumors and found elevated levels specifically in a highly aggressive form of kidney cancer, positioning it as a promising biomarker for potential future treatments as outlined by Sainero Alcolado.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to delve deeper into understanding how these fat droplets contribute to the growth of cancer cells and their resistance to treatment. Additionally, they aim to investigate the role of healthy cells surrounding kidney tumors in supporting cancer development.
Of paramount interest is the exploration of therapeutic interventions targeting HILPDA to curb tumor growth, with hopes of translating their research into clinical applications for the benefit of patients, according to Henriksson.
This groundbreaking research marks a significant step towards identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for combating aggressive kidney cancer, underscoring the potential of the HILPDA protein in revolutionizing treatment strategies in the fight against this challenging disease.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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