RNA Degradation Enzymes: Novel Targets in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Abstract
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in the United States, and more than 80 percent of lung cancers are nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Prognosis of the majority of NSCLC patients remains poor. Recently, a new group of cancer drugs, that, instead targeting the tumor cells, target the immune cells in the tumor environment, have shown unprecedented success in the treatment of NSCLC patients. These findings suggest that targeting the tumor environment, rather than the tumor cells themselves, may be a successful strategy. Vascular endothelial cells in the tumor, or tumor endothelial cells (TECs), are important components of the tumor environment. TECs harbor a number of molecular and structural abnormalities and help the tumor grow and propagate in various ways. In this proposal we will study the utility of targeting a specific molecular abnormality in TECs. We have previously found that a small tumor suppressor gene, called microRNA-1 (miR-1), in TECs is important for tumor growth. In NSCLC patients the level of miR-1 is lower in TECs compared to the non-cancerous tissue, and patients with higher levels of miR-1 in their tumors survive longer compared to patients with lower levels. Also, raising miR-1 levels in animal models of NSCLC through artificial methods stops tumor growth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1165695
Entities
People
- Seyedtaghi Takyar
Organizations
- Yale University