Scientists from the University of California, Davis (USA) discovered that abnormal expression of the Engrailed-1 (EN1) protein promotes the progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer in mice. Research results published In the journal Advanced Science.
Metastasis is one mechanism of cancer progression. This is a process characterized by the formation of secondary foci of tumor growth (metastasis) as a result of the spread of cells from primary foci to other tissues.
In a study involving laboratory mice, scientists managed to find that the causes of pancreatic cancer metastasis may be a change in the production of special proteins in the body, in particular Engrailed-1 (EN1). It is necessary for normal neuron development and is not usually produced in adult (formed) pancreatic cells. However, EN1 promotes the development of aggressive forms of breast cancer and glioblastoma (brain tumor).
The researchers tested whether inhibiting EN1 or increasing its expression affected the growth and survival of pancreatic organoids (three-dimensional clusters of tissue grown in vitro). The results showed that without EN1, pancreatic cancer cells had a reduced ability to divide. In contrast, increased EN1 expression increases tumor cell survival. Similar results were shown in an experiment in which researchers stimulated EN1 production in mice.
Scientists now plan to continue investigating other non-genetic factors that may contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. They also highlighted the need to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat this disease by targeting EN1.
Previously found A way to detect lung cancer using a blood test.