Researchers at the University of Chicago have found that a crucial gene linked to various types of leukaemia influences RNA, challenging the long-held assumption that it affects DNA.
In an interview with THE WEEK, lead researcher at the University of Chicago Medicine, Professor Chuan He, PhD - Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, throws more light into the latest cancer study.
Also read | Gene mutation affects RNA, not DNA as previously thought, reveals study
Interview excerpts:
Q: What are the biggest challenges with cancer research today?
A: We hope to develop Small Molecule Inhibitors (SMI) that can target this pathway to treat TET2 mutant human diseases such as leukaemia and CHIP. SMIs are a type of medication designed to interact with target proteins within a cell. They can often be taken orally, making them convenient for patients. The development of SMIs to precision is a long, lengthy and costly process.
Q: How would this study help improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and prognosis?
A: In principle, people may look at measuring RNA m5C levels could serve as an independent or supplementary method to confirm the loss of TET2 function in cancer patients. Clinicians could potentially predict the aggressiveness of the cancer and the likelihood of treatment response in individual patients.
I think the real value lies in its potential to revolutionise cancer treatment by identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Q: What are the ethical considerations surrounding this research and potential treatment?
A: I don't foresee any immediate ethical issues. However, in the future, with a thorough examination, we could explore and address any potential for misuse or exploitation of the research findings.
Q: How can we better address the disparities in cancer outcomes across different populations?
A: I don’t have enough information on that now. My lab's expertise lies in the mechanistic and discovery aspects. Addressing such disparities would require a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.
Q: What are the implications of your findings for cancer treatment?
A: By targeting the m5C-MBD6-ASXL1-BAP1 axis, we may be able to develop more effective therapies for TET2 and IDH mutant malignancies. This has the potential to significantly provide new avenues for precision therapy developments.
Q: What are the next steps in your research? What are the potential applications of this research for drug development?
A: The next steps in our research involve solving the structure of the whole complex and exploring the potential for targeting this pathway with novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment. We will also be investigating how this pathway influences other biological processes beyond cancer.
Q: What are the ethical considerations associated with developing and using drugs that target fundamental cellular processes?
A: To the best of my knowledge, there are no known ethical concerns or considerations associated with this.