A Possible Breakthrough In Lung Cancer Treatment Is On Its Way

The regulation of the PD-L1 has led to a new finding that may contribute a positive therapeutic effect on cancer treatment, particularly that of lung cancer. PD-L1 is a protein known to enable cancer cells to bypass the immune system.

The therapies involving the PD-L1 mechanism do not provide a favourable outcome in all cases. However, a group of scientists from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered new information about the mechanisms of tumour suppressor gene, p53 to PD-L1. The said gene facilitates non-small cell lung cancer to develop. "We identified a novel mechanism by which p53 regulates PD-L1 and tumor immune evasion through control of miR-34a expression," confirmed James Welsh, M.D., associate professor of Radiation Oncology.

When p53 is mutated, it proceeds to perform actions that can help boost tumour growth. Welsh said that although several studies have claimed the positive effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 to non-small cell lung cancer, the exact mechanism behind the regulation of PD-L1 is not clearly established. But in this latest study, Welsh said they have discovered that PD-L1 is regulated by p53-regulated miR-34a. Note that miR-34a is a microRNA usually found in the lung but are often not found or under-expressed in tumours.

This breakthrough discovery is said to ignite the development of new treatment options for patients with lung cancer. Being able to finally understand the means by which p53 regulates PD-L1 is a crucial event. The research team, which included Maria Angelica Cortez, Ph.D., an instructor of Experimental Radiation Oncology, is gearing towards the possibility that their study results can be collated with current treatment modalities. "Our results suggest that miR-34a delivery combined with standard therapies, such as radiotherapy, may represent a novel therapeutic approach for lung cancer," said Cortez. According to a mouse study, a trial drug called MRX34 that imitates the tumor-suppressing actions of miR-34, led to an increase in the CD8 cells of the immune system when combined with radiotherapy.

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