Current treatments have not been effective against cancers of the female reproductive system. The result is that ovarian cancer remains a primary cause of death from cancers that have metastasized (spread).
A New Direction
Recently a study identified an essential factor indicating a promising new path for targeted strategies. Targeted therapy, a treatment using drugs to attack cancer cells, differentiates them from healthy cells.
Although one type of targeted therapy works differently from another, they have similar characteristics. They all alter cancer’s growth, and its ability to divide or self-repair, asl well as its interaction with other cells.
The researchers’ findings is the cover article in the journal Protein and Cell as reported by Medical Express, which indicates its significance.
Potential Therapeutic Target:
DNM1 has a critical role in the promotion of metastasis as well as drug resistance. Researchers are investigating it as a target for treatment.
Professor Alice Wong, Hong Kong University Interim Director, led a team of researchers focusing on a process called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Epithelial cells outline the body’s external and internal surface.
Mesenchymal cells are a form of stem cell that creates connective tissues in the body, such as cartilage, bone, and muscle.
The EMT process encourages cancer cells to be flexible and to spread (metastasize) thereby making treatment more challenging. Addressing this challenge, the researchers used an algorithm to analyze networks of protein and gene interactions.
The team analyzed data from approximately eight thousand patient samples consisting of over twenty types of cancer found in the NIH Atlas. The process enabled the researchers to identify DNM1 as a non-transcriptional EMT regulator that does not have the same control of gene expression as traditional regulators.
Gene expression is the process that encodes a gene and turns that data into a function, thus making the genes a difficult target. DNM1 uses alternative cellular mechanisms thus providing various treatment opportunities.
Note that patients who have advanced disease also exhibited high levels of DNM1 indicating worse survival results.
It is now believed that targeting DNM1 may be an appropriate strategy for improving outcomes for patients who have aggressive ovarian cancer.
Editor’s Note: Get Involved
Cancer doesn’t discriminate. WHATNEXT and its partners are interested in amplifying the voices of those from all identities and backgrounds. If you have a cancer journey to share, reach out here to learn more about how your voice can help spread awareness and inspire individuals from all walks of life.
Last modified: May 27, 2025
