TGen-VARI study of protein JAK2 published by Public Library of
Science
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 2, 2012 - Combination drug therapy may be
needed to combat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a
study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and
Van Andel Research Institute (VARI).
The study, "STAT3 is Activated by JAK2 Independent of Key Oncogenic
Driver Mutation in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma," was published
online today, Feb. 2, 2012, by the Public Library of Science (PLoS)
ONE.
The study found that in NSCLC - the most common form of lung cancer
- that the STAT3 gene is activated in some NSCLC cell lines by the
JAK2 protein. This signaling can play a crucial role in tumor-cell
behavior that may not be effectively inhibited by drugs that
selectively target these mutations, the study concluded.
"This suggests that there may be a potential role for combination
therapy, so you have a better chance of knocking out select NSCLC
tumors driven by STAT3-JAK2, or keeping it at bay," said Dr. Glen
Weiss, Co-Unit Head of TGen's Lung Cancer Research Laboratory and
Director of Thoracic Oncology at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare, a partnership between
TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare that treats cancer patients with
promising new drugs.
The JAK2 protein can activate the gene called STAT3, part of a
family of genes that provide instructions for making proteins that
are part of the essential chemical signaling pathways that control
growth and development in cells. STAT3 has been found to be
overactive in cases of several types of cancer, including breast,
prostate, pancreas, leukemia and lymphoma.
In laboratory tests involving seven NSCLC cell lines, the TGen-VARI
study found that STAT3 was activated in some cell lines by JAK2,
independent of key oncogenic, or potentially cancer-causing,
genes.
"JAK2-STAT3 signaling plays crucial roles in tumor-cell behavior
that may not be effectively inhibited by drugs that selectively
target these mutations," said Dr. Jeff MacKeigan, Head of VARI's
Laboratory of Systems Biology. VARI is TGen's affiliate in Grand
Rapids, Mich.
This study, funded by a TGen-VARI integration grant, should benefit
future lung cancer research because of the study's clinically
annotated tissue microarray, MacKeigan said.
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About Van Andel Institute
Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute
(VAI) is an independent research and educational organization based
in Grand Rapids, Mich., dedicated to preserving, enhancing and
expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving
excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education
and the learning process. Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI) is
dedicated to strengthening science education and preparing and
motivating individuals to pursue science or science-related
professions. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), the research arm
of VAI, is dedicated to probing the genetic, cellular and molecular
origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and working to
translate those findings into effective therapies. This is
accomplished through the work of over 200 researchers in 18 on-site
laboratories and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe.
VARI is affiliated with the Translational Genomics Research
Institute, (TGen), of Phoenix, Arizona. For more information,
visit: www.vai.org.
Media Contact:
Joe Gavan
Vice President, Communications and External Relations
(616) 234-5390
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