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Inhibition of protein opens door to treatment of pancreatic cancer

Date:
July 1, 2014
Source:
IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)
Summary:
A new protein, galectin-1, has been identified as a possible therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. For the first time, researchers have demonstrated the effects of the inhibition of this protein in mice suffering this type of cancer and the results showed an increase in survival of 20%. The work further suggests that it could be a therapeutic target with no adverse effects.
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Researchers from IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute) have identified a new protein, galectin-1, as a possible therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. For the first time they have demonstrated the effects of the inhibition of this protein in mice suffering this type of cancer and the results showed an increase in survival of 20%. The work further suggests that it could be a therapeutic target with no adverse effects.

Until now, the strategies for treating this tumor were aimed at attacking the tumor cells and had little success. The latest studies indicate that trying to destroy what surrounds the tumor is possibly a better strategy. "Our contribution is directed toward this, as the reduction of galectin-1 mainly affects the immune system and the cells and structure that surrounds the tumor cells, which is called the stroma. Therefore, galectin-1 as a therapeutic target has great potential," explains Dr. Pilar Navarro, co-ordinator of the research group on molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis of IMIM and director of the research.

It was known that galectin-1 was not found in the normal pancreas despite being strongly expressed in pancreatic tumors. Furthermore, some clear functions were known which demonstrate the relationship between galectin-1 and tumor progression in other contexts. In fact, some preclinical studies for other diseases use inhibitor molecules and antibodies against this protein. "We are aiming at its possible use in pancreatic cancer" states Dr. Neus Martínez, researcher of the group on molecular mechanisms and tumorigenesis of IMIM and first author of this article. "We have also observed that the elimination of galectin-1 in mice has no harmful consequences, indicating that it could be a safe therapeutic target with no adverse effects," she adds.

In collaboration with the Hospital del Mar Anatomical Pathology Service, which has analyzed some samples, pancreatic tumors were studied in mice with high levels of galectin-1 and after its depletion. They observed that tumors without this protein showed less proliferation, fewer blood vessels, less inflammation and an increase in the immune response. All these changes are associated with less aggressive tumors.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the tumors with the worst prognosis, with a survival rate of less than 2%, 5 years after diagnosis. Although it is not a very common tumor, it is the fourth cause of cancer-related death in developed countries. This is due, on one hand, to the fact that it is often diagnosed too late, when the tumor has already metastasized and, on the other hand, to the inefficacy of current treatments. In Spain 4000 cases are diagnosed each year. Although it is a tumor that is well known at molecular level, its diagnosis and treatment are still one step behind. In fact it is one of the tumors with the least therapeutic advancements in recent years.

The results are very encouraging but we must be prudent as there are many factors to take into account. The researchers now want to move the results obtained to preclinical studies, where they will treat mice with pancreatic cancer with chemical inhibitors or antibodies against galectin-1 (the same treatment that would be used for a cancer patient) in order to verify the therapeutic utility of this target. In the event that they obtain positive results and manage to halt the tumor, the next step would be to propose its use on patients. Obviously we are talking about long-term objectives, as the transfer of studies on animals to humans is usually a slow process.


Story Source:

Materials provided by IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. N. Martinez-Bosch, M. G. Fernandez-Barrena, M. Moreno, E. Ortiz-Zapater, J. Munne-Collado, M. Iglesias, S. Andre, H.-J. Gabius, R. F. Hwang, F. Poirier, C. Navas, C. Guerra, M. E. Fernandez-Zapico, P. Navarro. Galectin-1 Drives Pancreatic Carcinogenesis through Stroma Remodeling and Hedgehog Signaling Activation. Cancer Research, 2014; DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-3013

Cite This Page:

IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). "Inhibition of protein opens door to treatment of pancreatic cancer." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 July 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140701091500.htm>.
IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). (2014, July 1). Inhibition of protein opens door to treatment of pancreatic cancer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140701091500.htm
IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). "Inhibition of protein opens door to treatment of pancreatic cancer." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140701091500.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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