Researchers discover new molecular driver of retinoblastoma

Researchers discover new molecular driver of retinoblastoma
Inactive remnant of retinoblastoma tumor following successful intra-arterial chemotherapy. Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center

尽管几十年的医学进步,孩子develop the pediatric eye cancer retinoblastoma often lose their vision or an eye due to a lack of specific, targeted therapies and a poor molecular understanding of the cancer. Now researchers at UT Southwestern and the University of Miami have discovered that a molecule—estrogen-related receptor gamma, or ESRRG—becomes hyperactive and promotes tumor cell survival in retinoblastoma. Blocking ESRRG, the team reported inScience Advances, kills retinoblastoma cells.

"Our discovery could lead to innovative new treatments for this cancer that take advantage of this dependence of retinoblastoma on ESRRG," said study leader J. William Harbour, M.D., Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern. Before joining UTSW last year, Dr. Harbour served as Vice Chair for Translational Research at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami.

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer affecting the retina—the tissue in the back of the eye that receives light and converts it into signals to the brain. It is most often diagnosed in children under 2 and has been associated with mutations in the RB1 gene. However, there are currently no specific, targeted therapies; doctors rely on broad-acting chemotherapy drugs that carry numerous side effects and toxicities.

In the new study, Dr. Harbour and his colleagues analyzed genes and proteins infrom 103 retinoblastoma patients, representing the largest sequencing analysis of retinoblastoma reported to date. While 94% of the tumors contained RB1 mutations, many also contained other altered genes. When the scientists analyzed these other mutations, they discovered that many were involved in the same signaling pathway inside cells: a molecular network that regulates ESRRG. ESRRG is known to play a role in the early development of the retina and other components of the nervous system but had never been linked to retinoblastoma before.

The team went on to show that RB1 normally puts the brakes on ESRRG in normal retinal cells. However, in retinal cells that have transformed into retinoblastoma, ESRRG becomes activated and helps keep cells alive and proliferating, even asdrop—normally a signal that kills healthy cells. Blocking ESRRG causes cells to die under thesethat are common in rapidly growing tumors and inside the eye.

"We found that when cells lose RB1, ESRRG is unleashed to allow continueddespite low-oxygen conditions," said Dr. Harbour, a member of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The researchers noted that more studies are needed to prove that drugs targeting ESRRG could be used in humans to treat. But their results are encouraging.

"Retinoblastoma is the most common eyein children, and it is incredibly exciting to finally have a potential drug target," said Dr. Harbour.

更多的信息:Matthew G. Field et al, RB1 loss triggers dependence on ESRRG in retinoblastoma,Science Advances(2022).DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm8466
Journal information: Science Advances

Citation: Researchers discover new molecular driver of retinoblastoma (2022, October 3) retrieved 3 November 2022 from //www.pyrotek-europe.com/news/2022-10-molecular-driver-retinoblastoma.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

What do you know about these three rare childhood cancers?

68shares

Feedback to editors