Researchers from Northwestern University have identified a gene that is associated with the development
Although small cell carcinoma accounts for no more15% of all types of lung cancer, it often leads to rapid tumor growth, early metastasis and resistance to treatment. However, individual subtypes are associated with different factors and require alternative treatments, the researchers say.
In their work, they used screening of allof the genome of cancer patients using CRISPR to determine the possible causes of the development of the disease. They were able to identify the POU2AF2 gene, which is responsible for the synthesis of a protein associated with the development of incurable small cell lung cancer subtype "P".
Researchers remove this gene from cellssmall cell lung cancer in vitro (in vitro) and in cells of laboratory mice. In both cases, the cancer cells failed to survive and the tumor completely collapsed.
The problem is that the treatmentsmall cell lung cancer remains relatively unchanged for a long time and mainly relies on chemotherapy, the scientists note. At the same time, taking such drugs often causes the formation of resistance (resistance) in cancer cells. Knowing the key target, the researchers plan to develop drugs that will disrupt the work of a particular gene, preventing the development of a tumor.
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