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- Posted Wednesday April 9, 2014
TGen study identifies growth factor receptors that may prompt the spread of lung cancer
Preventing lung cancers from metastasizing to other parts of the body could provide benefit for patients against the leading cause of cancer death
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 9, 2014 - Two cell
surface receptors might be responsible for the most common form of
lung cancer spreading to other parts of the body, according to a
study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen).
The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR/MET) and fibroblast
growth factor-inducible 14 (FN14) are proteins associated with the
potential spread of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according
to the TGen study published online April 8 by the scientific
journal Clinical & Experimental Metastasis.
NSCLC represents more than 85 percent of all lung cancers, which
this year will kill an estimated 159,000 Americans, making it by
far the leading cause of cancer-related death. It has a 5-year
survival rate less than 10 percent.
The invasive and metastatic nature of NSCLC contributes to this
high mortality rate, and so finding the cause of this potential to
spread is key to helping patients survive.
Therapies targeting MET and FN14 are in clinical development,
which could lead to treatments that could help halt or slow the
spread of this lung cancer.
"As the metastatic phenotype is a major cause of lung cancer
mortality, understanding and potentially targeting these pathways
may reduce the high mortality rate in advanced lung cancer," said
Dr. Timothy Whitsett, an Assistant Professor in TGen's Cancer and
Cell Biology Division, and the study's lead author.
Significantly, the TGen study found that MET and FN14 were
elevated in metastatic tumors compared to primary lung tumors and
suppression of MET activation or FN14 expression reduced tumor cell
invasion.
"The elevation of these receptors in metastatic disease opens the
possibility for therapeutic intervention," said Dr. Nhan Tran, an
Associate Professor in TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division, and
the study's senior author.
Dr. Glen Weiss, Co-Unit Head of TGen's Lung Cancer Research
Laboratory and Director of Clinical Research at Cancer Treatment
Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center, said, "This
study identifies some targets that already have drugs in clinical
trials, and helps put them into context for what might be a
rational drug development approach for the treatment of this deadly
cancer."
Other institutes that assisted with this study are: the University
of Arizona; St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; and Humboldt
Medical Specialists.
The study, FN14 expression correlates with MET in NSCLC and
promotes MET-driven cell invasion, was funded by the National
Institutes of Health, and grants from the St. Joseph's Foundation
and the American Lung Association.
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About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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About Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc. (CTCA) is a national
network of hospitals focusing on complex and advanced stage cancer.
CTCA offers a comprehensive, fully integrated approach to cancer
treatment and serves patients from all 50 states at facilities
located in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known
for delivering the Mother Standard® of care and Patient Empowerment
Medicine®, CTCA provides patients with information about cancer and
their treatment options so they can control their treatment
decisions. For more information about CTCA, go to www.cancercenter.com.
Press Contact:
Nicole McTheny
Director, Public Affairs
Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
14200 W. Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
O:(623) 207-3983
C:(602) 339-1569
[email protected]