Scientists Discover Gene That Promotes Progression of Pancreatic Cancer

A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has made a significant discovery by identifying a gene that contributes to the progression of pancreatic cancer by affecting DNA structure. This study, published in the journal Molecular Cancer, has the potential to change treatment approaches for this aggressive form of cancer.

According to the scientific publication Science Daily, the researchers utilized CRISPR gene-editing technology to systematically deactivate various genes and observe their impact on lab-grown cells. The most significant effect was demonstrated by the KLF5 gene, which was found to be key in the tumor invasion process. This gene promotes epigenetic changes that include chemical modifications and the restructuring of DNA packaging within cells.

Dr. Andrew Feinberg, one of the study's authors, noted, "Epigenetic changes are underestimated as a primary pathway for the development and stimulation of cancer metastasis growth." This suggests that traditional treatment approaches may be insufficient if they do not take into account epigenetic factors.

The findings of this research build on previous studies conducted by the team in 2017. At that time, scientists discovered that the most common form of pancreatic cancer exhibits significant epigenetic changes in primary tumors. These changes, rather than new DNA mutations, were found to be the main factors contributing to the disease's ability to spread throughout the body.

Further analysis of patient samples confirmed the laboratory findings. In 10 out of 13 patients with pancreatic cancer, the activity level of the KLF5 gene in metastatic tumors was significantly higher compared to their original tumors. Even a slight increase in the activity of this gene substantially enhanced the cancer cell's ability to grow and spread.

The research also showed that KLF5 regulates other epigenetic modifier genes, such as NCAPD2 and MTHFD1. This discovery underscores the importance of epigenetic changes in the development of cancer metastasis. Kenna Sherman, the first author of the study and a graduate student in the Human Genetics and Genomics program at Johns Hopkins University, stated, "We have more evidence that cancer metastasis is caused not by additional mutations in the primary cancer but by epigenetic changes that allow cancer to thrive and grow."

Andrew Feinberg also emphasized that successfully treating pancreatic cancer metastasis does not necessarily require deactivating the KLF5 gene. Currently, researchers are working on developing several experimental drugs that specifically target this gene, which could open new horizons in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

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