What is it about?
We have shown that a protein called MBNL1 is found in low amounts in many common cancers and this protein can predict the progression of cancer. We have also found the mechanism of how low levels of MBNL1 protein drives cancer progression. This mechanism can be reversed by inhibiting JNK signaling which is a well known therapeutic target in cancer and otherwise.
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Why is it important?
This study is important as it may lead to new therapies in cancer. Although currently there are no JNK inhibitors in clinical trials against cancer,it has has been tested in the past. If in the future there is a JNK inhibitor our work may be used to select patients for anti-JNK therapy. Furthermore our work may open avenues to target JNK with alternative approaches other than the classical small molecule inhibitor.
Perspectives
Cancer is the second highest cause of death globally. Our work discusses the role of MBNL1 protein as a biomarker for cancer prognosis and can lead to development of new treatment strategies for cancer. The mechanism we discovered is applicable to many common cancer types in the world including breast, colorectal, stomach, lung and prostate which when combined accounts for 49% of all cancers diagnosed in 2018. Cancer is a global health problem that needs to be addressed. Our work provides information about novel targets and biomarkers which could lead to new treatment strategies that can improve the lives of patients.
Debleena Ray
Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A tumor-associated splice-isoform of
MAP2K7
drives dedifferentiation in MBNL1-low cancers via JNK activation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002499117.
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