2023-08-14 08:15:02
New Research Shows Potential for Diabetes Drug in Treating Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Vienna, Austria – A recent study conducted by an international research team led by MedUni Vienna has made significant progress in understanding the mechanism of tumor spread in metastatic prostate cancer. The team has decoded a cellular signaling pathway involved in regulating tumor cell growth and interaction, shedding light on potential treatment options. The study, published in the journal Molecular Cancer, also explores the use of a common diabetes drug as a potential treatment for this aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Austria, surpassing lung cancer since 1994. While localized prostate cancer has relatively high survival rates, metastatic prostate cancer remains a significant challenge with high mortality rates. The exact mechanism of tumor spread in this form of cancer has not been fully understood until now.
The research team, led by Lukas Kenner from MedUni Vienna, focused on the protein STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3), which has been previously associated with the progression of tumor diseases. They discovered that permanent activation of STAT3 prevented the development of prostate cancer and the spread of metastases in a mouse model. On the other hand, the loss of the signaling pathway between STAT3 and another protein called interleukin 6 (IL6) led to aggressive tumor growth and increased mortality rates.
Intriguingly, the activation of STAT3 in the prostate also led to an increased presence of cell components involved in sugar metabolism, which are associated with type 2 diabetes. The team explored the use of the diabetes drug metformin, known for its glucose-regulating effects, to potentially slow the progression of STAT3-positive prostate cancer. Since metformin is already available and widely used for diabetes treatment, this research could pave the way for new treatment options for patients with metastatic prostate cancer in the future.
Prostate cancer remains a significant public health issue, with 6,039 new cases and 1,352 deaths registered in Austria in 2019. While the majority of prostate tumors remain localized and easily treatable, around 20 percent of patients develop metastatic prostate cancer, which is currently considered incurable. Worldwide, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, after lung cancer.
This groundbreaking research opens up new possibilities for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer and offers hope for patients affected by this aggressive form of the disease. Further research will be conducted to explore this newly discovered therapy option and its potential impact on improving patient outcomes.
Publication:
Molecular Cancer
STAT3/LKB1 controls metastatic prostate cancer by regulating mTORC1/CREB pathway
Jan Pencik, Cecile Philippe, Michaela Schlederer, Emine Atas, Matteo Pecoraro, Sandra Grund-Gröschke, Wen (Jess) Li, Amanda Tracz, et.al., Marcus Hacker, Lukas Kenner
Doi: 10.1186/s12943-023-01825-8
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