Researchers from Queen Mary University of London recently discovered two genes that are responsible for the treatment resistance of head and neck cancer to chemotherapy. The findings present a potential treatment path for cancers that were previously unresponsive to treatment.
The genes discovered, NEK2 and INHBA, appear to be the main culprits in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment resistance. The genes are also active in most other forms of cancer which could have large impacts on the treatment of numerous cancer types. In the study, published in Molecular Cancer, researchers conducted data mining to identify genes that may affect tumor responsiveness. Once potential targets were identified, they tested 28 genes on 12 strains of chemoresistant cancer cell lines.
“These results are a promising step towards cancer patients in the future receiving personalised treatment based on their genes and tumour type that give them a better survival rate and treatment outcome. Unfortunately, there are lots of people out there who do not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. But our study has shown that in head and neck cancers at least it is these two particular genes that could be behind this, which can then be targeted to fight against chemoresistance,” said Dr Muy-Teck Teh senior author of the study.
After uncovering the genes responsible for the resistance, the researchers turned to a chemical library often used in drug discovery to search for a solution. They found two substances, a fungal toxin called Sirodesmin A as well as a bacterium called Carfilzomib, suggesting there may already be drugs that can be used for treatment, avoiding the costly nature of developing new ones.