Lung cancer is the #1 leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and spread of the disease (metastasis) is a major determinant of how patients will do. New research has identified a gene Gaga3, as being partially responsible for the giving lung cancer cells the ability to metastasize.
The product of the Gaga3 gene blocks the activity of a group of small RNA encoding genes (microRNAs) and leads to a change in the behavior of the cancer cells called the Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition or EMT. The EMT is known to cause cells to behave in a more aggressive manner and contribute to their ability to move and metastasize. Importantly, the researchers were able to show that blocking the activity of Gaga3 inhibited the EMT and metastasis, thereby identifying it as a potential cancer drug target.
Top