Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Since there are no specific symptoms, the disease is often diagnosed in an advanced stage when surgery is no longer possible. Furthermore, not all patients benefit from approved treatments, for example due to a lack of targetable mutations. Treatment is also challenging because lung cancer cells develop resistance against applied therapies. Our research shows that in lung cancer, the TGF-beta signaling pathway is permanently activated compared to normal cells, and that inhibiting this pathway stops tumor growth. Further good news is that there are already approved drugs for other diseases that specifically block TGF-beta signaling. We are therefore currently examining their effects on lung cancer (repurposing of drugs), alone or in combination with other therapies, to accelerate the applicability of new treatments and ideally prevent resistance.
Further Information:
https://fz-borstel.de/de/forschung-am-fzb/wissenschaft-und-technologie/histologie
04.02.2025