Researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have made a significant discovery in lung cancer treatment that could pave the way for more effective therapies.
Led by cancer biologist Tuomas Tammela, MD, Ph.D., the team’s research offers new insights into lung cancer cells’ “memories,” potentially enhancing treatments for lung adenocarcinoma, a common and deadly form of lung cancer.
Understanding Lung Cancer Cells’ Origins
The study focuses on a specific type of lung cancer known as lung adenocarcinoma, which often results from mutations in the KRAS gene. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, making the cancer particularly aggressive and hard to treat.
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first KRAS inhibitors. However, these drugs don’t work for everyone, and many patients eventually develop resistance.
MSK researchers found that some lung cancer cells retain characteristics of their origin cells in the lungs – known as alveolar type 1 (AT1) and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells.
This “memory” of being an AT1 or AT2 cell influences how these cancer cells respond to treatments like KRAS inhibitors.
The Key to Improved Treatment
The team’s breakthrough came with the discovery that targeting these AT1-like cancer cells, which originate from AT2 cells but take on properties of AT1 cells, could enhance the effectiveness of KRAS inhibitors.
By eliminating these AT1-like cells, the researchers were able to significantly improve the response to treatment in experimental models.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions
This research, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, was made possible through collaborations within MSK and with other institutions.
It involved detailed studies of residual cancer cells in experimental models, patient-derived tumors, and tumor samples from patients.
Looking ahead, the team aims to find surface proteins unique to these AT1-like cells. This could lead to the development of targeted therapies that can bind to and eliminate these cells, much like the approach used in CAR T cell therapy and antibody drug conjugates.
Impact and Potential
This discovery holds significant potential for improving lung cancer treatments, particularly for lung adenocarcinoma driven by KRAS mutations.
By understanding the “memories” of cancer cells and their origins, researchers can develop more precise treatments that target the cells responsible for resistance and recurrence.
The study’s success highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in cancer research and opens new avenues for developing advanced treatments for one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
With continued research and development, this approach could soon make its way into clinical practice, offering new hope to patients battling lung adenocarcinoma.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about marijuana’s effects on lung health, and why some non-smokers get lung disease and some heavy smokers do not.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
The research findings can be found in Cancer Discovery.
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