A protein is linked to mortality risk for lung cancer patients and might be a therapeutic target, according to a new study.
The tumour protein, called Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), may also be modifiable, according to the researchers led by Dr Fraser Millar of the University of Edinburgh, UK.
In Cell Reports yesterday, they write: "Targeting early-stage lung cancer is vital to improve survival. However, the mechanisms and components of the early tumour suppressor response in lung cancer are not well understood."
They add that TLR2 regulates a key tumour suppressor response, holding back early lung cancer progression.
The team carried out tests on human lung cancer samples and genetically engineered mouse models.
This showed that TLR2 is active "early in lung tumorigenesis", with higher levels linked to improved survival and regression of the tumour.
Furthermore, when they added a compound to increase the activity of TLR2, lung tumour growth was restricted, "highlighting TLR2 as a possible therapeutic target".
The authors state: "We demonstrate that TLR2 coordinates induction of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous tumour suppressor responses that together impair non-small cell lung cancer progression."
Dr Fraser Millar said: “I think these results are really exciting. Very little is known about the biology of early lung cancer and by understanding this process more we have identified a possible new treatment for this devastating disease.
"This project highlights the value of basic science research and how this can be translated into new treatments for patients.”
Millar, F. R. et al. Toll-like receptor 2 orchestrates a tumor suppressor response in non-small cell lung cancer. Cell Reports 8 November 2022; doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111596
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