A protein playing an important role in the development of the most common blood cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, has just been identified.
Cancer research continues to advance. A recent team led by the National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) in the United States made a major discovery: a significant number of HnRNP K genes can cause diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. But what is HnRNP K?
From his full name Heterogeneous Nuclear RibonucleoproteinIt’s about a RNA binding protein (ribonucleic acid), a biological molecule whose role is precisely to synthesize proteins, but which is also involved in chemical reactions of cellular metabolism.
It has already been discovered in previous studies that this protein is much more present in people affected by cancer. Today, this new study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute,proves that an overexpression of HnRNP K leads to more virulent cancers and decreases the chances of survival.
A study conducted on genetically modified mice
To conduct this study, the researchers used mice previously genetically modified to have an over-expression of HnRNP K. Thus, the researchers were able to directly examine the effect of HnRNP K in the case of large B-cell lymphoma. “The overexpression of HnRNP K in transgenic mice led to the development of lymphoma and reduced its survival”, summarizes Miguel Gallardo, researcher and coordinator of the unit which carried out this research.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive cancer because its tumor mass increases very rapidly, and recurrences are very frequent. However, thanks to advances in research and CAR-T Cells therapy, which recently arrived in France, it can be better treated. The discovery of this pro-oncogene could therefore make it possible to develop new methods for evaluating patients and new therapeutic approaches to increase the chances of remission.
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