Karolinska scientists uncover new target for cancer therapies

Research lead

One difficulty in fighting cancer cells is that they are similar in many respects to the body’s stem cells. By focusing on the differences between the two cell types, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a new way of tackling colon cancer.

Molecular signaling pathways that stimulate the division of stem cells are generally the same as those active in tumour growth. This constrains cancer treatments as the drugs that kill tumour cells also often adversely affect healthy cells, particularly stem cells.

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, conducted in collaboration with an international team of scientists led by Jonas Frisén, has identified a difference between the cell types that may make it possible to treat colon cancer.

The results concern a group of signalling proteins called EphB receptors. These proteins stimulate the division of stem cells in the intestine and can contribute to the formation of polyps, which are known to carry a risk of cancer.

Paradoxically, these same proteins also prevent polyps from growing unchecked and becoming cancerous. The new research shows that EphB controls two separate signalling pathways, one of which stimulates cell division and the other that curbs a cell’s ability to become cancerous.

Using this knowledge, the scientists have found that an existing leaukaemia cancer drug, Glivec (imatinib), inhibits the first pathway without affecting the other, protective, pathway. Maria Genander, one of the researchers involved in the study say it would be possible to screen for other compounds that have a similar effect.