Researchers at Cima University of Navarra "decapitate" the hydra of lung cancer
Combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a therapy targeting the tumor protein DSTYK cures 100% of mice with disease at different stages of development
FotoCedida
/MIrari Echepare and Karmele Valencia, first author and editor of work on lung cancer published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
14 | 11 | 2024
Researchers at Cima University of Navarra have developed a combined strategy that achieves cure of lung cancer in 100% of mouse models. The results have been confirmed at different stages of the disease, including metastasis.
"In a previous study we linked for the first time the dependence of a protein involved in tumor development (DSTYK) to lung cancer. On that occasion we said that inhibition of DSTYK wasthe 'Achilles heel' of this tumor. Continuing with Greek mythology, on this occasion we have managed to 'decapitate the hydra' of the disease by attacking this tumor from different fronts," explains Dr. Karmele Valencia. Dr. Karmele Valenciaprincipal investigator of the group of Therapeutic Innovation in Lung Cancer at the at Cima and director of work.
The application of a treatment involves a stress for the tumor cell status . It is therefore essential to sensitize them to these external stimuli. "In 2022, we demonstrated that blocking DSTYK improved the response to immunotherapy in lung cancer models. In this work we have confirmed that it also sensitizes to taxane-based chemotherapy (paclitaxel or docetaxel), chemotherapy drugs commonly applied in cancer patients."
The results of work, integrated in the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra, have been published in the latest issue of the scientific journal Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Likewise, Mirari Echepare, its first author, presented the work at the congress of the association Española de research sobre el Cáncer (ASEICA) which is being held from November 13 to 15 in Zaragoza.
Preclinical efficacy in lung, ovarian and breast cancers
As Dr. Valencia explains, "once the mechanism of action was identified, we combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy with DSTYK inhibition andconfirmed 100% cure in mice with disease at different stages of development, both initial and with metastatic lesions. The results have been confirmed in lung cancer but we have also obtained positive preliminary data in ovarian and breast cancer."
One of the main problems with lung cancer treatments is the resistance that is acquired to all therapies over time, including chemotherapy. "Identifying patients who have high levels of DSTYK will help predict which patients will present greater resistance, so that more effective therapeutic combinations can be indicated," says the researcher at Cima.
