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New Hope: Key Protein Drives Melanoma Growth
12 Feb
Summary
- HOXD13 protein fuels melanoma with nutrients and oxygen.
- High HOXD13 levels correlate with fewer active T cells.
- Suppressing HOXD13 caused tumors to shrink in studies.
International researchers have pinpointed a critical molecule, HOXD13, that fuels the growth of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. This key protein is essential for the blood vessel development that supplies tumors with vital oxygen and nutrients. Analyzing tumors from over 200 U.S. melanoma patients, the research team discovered that elevated HOXD13 activity is associated with reduced levels of cancer-fighting T cells in the bloodstream.
Furthermore, the study revealed that tumors with high HOXD13 activity create an environment hostile to the immune system by boosting CD73 protein, which increases adenosine. Adenosine acts as a shield, preventing T cells from reaching the tumors. When researchers inhibited HOXD13, they observed a significant increase in T cells infiltrating the tumors and notable tumor shrinkage.
These findings present promising new avenues for melanoma treatment, particularly for patients with elevated HOXD13 levels. Separate clinical trials are currently underway to assess the safety and efficacy of medications targeting these processes. If successful, these drugs could offer a new therapeutic option for the more than one million Americans affected by melanoma.
