Researchers from Tulane University have assessed that the PHLDB3 protein, which was believed to be a potential tumor suppressor, allows cancer cells to thrive in a series of common types of cancer. The results of the study could provide an explanation on the mechanism used by cancer cells in overcoming the tumor-suppressing protein p53.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, could lead to more specific diagnostic tests and treatments for a series of cancer types, among which lung, breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic.
Tumor-Suppressing Protein, Responsible For Cancer
As the molecule responsible for this process has been identified, it could be employed as an anti-cancer target and develop a drug that could be more effective and less toxic, in combination with chemotherapy. This way, the number of cancer patients who die because of the very invasive chemotherapy procedure could, hopefully, decrease.
"Now that we've identified the molecule, we could utilize it as an anti-cancer target. This target can be used to develop a drug that would hopefully, combined with chemotherapy, be more effective and less toxic," noted [pdf] Dr. Hua Lu, lead study author.
Researchers were aware that the p53 protein has a crucial role in anti-cancer behavior, as it triggers cells with DNA damage to kill themselves before becoming malignant. Two genes, MDM2 and MDMX, keep the p53 protein in check.
"The p53 tumor suppressor plays a crucially important role in preventing cancer development as strongly supported by the facts that Trp53-null mice develop cancer in 100 percent penetrance, and its gene is mutated in over half of all human cancers. In response to a variety of stresses, the p53 transcriptional regulator can induce or repress transcription of numerous target genes, which are involved in multiple biological functions, including cell cycle, apoptosis, cell senescence, differentiation, angiogenesis, cell migration, metabolism and DNA repair," noted the research.
When the body produces more of these two genes or the p53 protein, the effects on the overall health of the individual can become negative. However, when produced in normal dosages, they represent a very powerful mechanism in the fight against diseases, assuring a healthy process of cell development.
The current research discovered that the PHLDB3 protein, together with MDM2, inhibits the p53 protein growth and allows the tumor to develop. This protein could be employed in decreasing therapeutic resistance for some cancer patients in their latest states of the disease.
Cancer Death Incidence, An Increasing Health Concern
"From 1999-2013, the rate of people dying from cancer has varied, depending on their race and ethnicity," noted a CDC factsheet on cancer. "Among men, black men were more likely to die because of cancer compared to any other group. They were followed by white, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander men. Among women, black women were more likely to die of cancer than any other group, followed by white, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander women."
Additionally, a number of 564,800 American people are expected to die of cancer in 2017, which means more than 1,500 people every day. Following heart disease, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, as one every four deaths is caused by this disease, according to recent data.
Approximately 5 million people died of cancer in the United States since 1990.
