Targeted Genetic Dependency Screen Identifies New Treatment Targets for Lung Cancer
According to research published in PNAS, scientists have used an efficient new screening strategy to identify gene mutations in tumor cells that are possible drug targets for the most common form of lung cancer.
Researchers from the Cancer Research UK’s Paterson Institute for Cancer Research at The University of Manchester studied six different non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines growing in the lab, each of which was known to carry more than 60 mutations.
Using a targeted genetic dependency screen, they were able to identify three kinases with mutations activating the MEK/ERK pathway: FGFR4, MAP3K9, and PAK5. According to the authors, the targeted depletion of these mutations “inhibits proliferation, suppresses constitutive activation of downstream signaling pathways, and results in specific killing of the lung cancer cells.”
New Approach to Personalized Therapy
Lead author John Brognard, PhD, of Paterson Institute for Cancer Research said, “Our study provides a new approach that can be personalized to an individual patient’s tumor and can identify in real-time potential drug targets.
“The underlying genetic changes in half of all non–small cell lung cancer remain unknown. Lung cancer is one of the hardest cancers to study, and this has left us barren of possible genetic markers that we can target with drugs or other therapies,” he added. “This new technique enables us to begin mapping the most likely gene faults that encourage these cancers to grow.”
Richard Marais, PhD, Director of the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research said, “Improving survival from lung cancer is an urgent priority for us, and this vital work helps to bring forward personalized medicine for lung cancer patients sooner. Understanding the genetic faults that drive each individual patient’s cancer will help to make sure they get the right treatment for their disease, at the right time.”
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
