Researchers at a major New York university have identified a molecule named MALAT1 that appears to awaken dormant breast cancer cells and drive them to establish metastases. The findings were reported in Nature Cancer.
Years ago, scientists began to understand that early in tumor development some cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, migrate to distant sites, and enter a dormant state. These cells can remain quiet for long periods before reactivating, potentially leading to cancer recurrence or spread.
In experiments with laboratory mice, investigators traced a specific molecule called MALAT1 and found that it can activate cancer cells and push them toward forming metastases. MALAT1 is a large non-coding RNA, meaning it is not translated into proteins but still plays a critical regulatory role in gene activity.
To test MALAT1’s effect on cancer progression, researchers removed the MALAT1 gene from breast cancer cells in mice. The result was a dramatic reduction in the cells’ ability to metastasize, while increasing MALAT1 activity produced the opposite outcome, enhancing metastatic potential.
The study reveals a dual influence of MALAT1 on dormant cancer cells. On one hand, MALAT1 can activate specific gene expression pathways that awaken cancer cells and promote their proliferation and growth into new tumors. On the other hand, MALAT1 contributes to the production of molecules that help cancer cells evade detection by the immune system, limiting natural immune responses against these actively dividing cells.
What triggers MALAT1 to rise in the body remains unknown. Further research is needed to uncover the upstream factors that elevate MALAT1 expression and how these signals might be intercepted to slow disease progression.
In related discussions, researchers have also explored how diet and food components may influence cancer biology, including links between certain emulsifiers and cancer risk, underscoring the multifaceted nature of cancer development and prevention.