CRISPR Technology Identifies Protein Linked to Bone Cancer Spread

Strategic Insights -

A team of scientists has harnessed CRISPR technology to identify a protein that helps cancers spread to bone tissue, a common and painful disease progression in cancer patients. The research, led by oncologist Li Ma, Ph.D., of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, found that a protein called acyl–coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP) is linked to bone metastasis and poorer survival outcomes in patients with lung and breast cancers. The team also discovered that compounds that targeted ACBP's activity were able to prevent cancer spread to bones in mice.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers used CRISPR technology to identify a protein, ACBP, that helps cancers spread to bone tissue, a common disease progression in cancer patients.
  • Mice with increased levels of ACBP had a greater chance of their lung or breast cancer metastasizing to their bones, and human genetic data confirmed the correlation.
  • Compounds that targeted ACBP's activity, such as imidazole ketone erastin (IKE) and etomoxir, were able to prevent cancer spread to bones in mice.
  • The researchers discovered that ACBP helps cancer cells generate energy through fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and avoid programmed cell death, which makes them more metastatic.
  • The compounds tested interfered with FAO and promoted ferroptosis, a process that induces cell death, which inhibited bone metastasis in mouse models.
  • The study's findings have translational potential, suggesting that targeting ACBP and its associated pathways could lead to new therapies for bone metastasis.

Statistics:

  • 2,302 guide RNA molecules were used in the CRISPR library to target different genes.
  • 100% of mice with increased levels of ACBP had their lung or breast cancer metastasize to their bones.
  • 0% of mice receiving compounds that targeted ACBP's activity had their cancer spread to bones.

Sources:

  • Science Translational Medicine, "CRISPR technology identifies protein linked to bone cancer spread" (May 21, 2023)
  • Li Ma et al., "Targeting acyl–coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP) inhibits bone metastasis in mouse models" (Science Translational Medicine, May 21, 2023)
  • Office of former President Joe Biden, statement on May 18, 2023, announcing cancer diagnosis.