Written by Adhrith Vutukuri
Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, which results from various genetic changes that dysregulate the normal cell cycle. Proteomics, the study of proteins and their function, has become a valuable scientific technique for examining the molecular alterations in cancer. Proteomics has allowed researchers to identify important details about the growth and spread of cancer cells, including protein targets and signaling pathways.
Proteomic based technologies have allowed for the identification of potential biomarkers which can be targets for new cancer therapeutics. Additionally, proteomics has improved our understanding of how to target certain pathways for cancer treatments.
Cancer Assosciated Fibroblasts
Cancer cells in the human body interact with the tumor microenvironment, which includes cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF). Through the use of a proteomics approach, scientists were able to identify a modulator of CAF called NNMT. Inhibiting NNMT expression in CAFs suppressed tumor growth in vivo, demonstrating the potential of proteomics in determining disease phenotypes and developing novel therapies.
Proteomics Against Drug Resistance
In some cases cancer can recur after treatment due to cancer cells which are resistant to certain anti-cancer drugs. In cases like these, a proteomics approach can be utilized to investigate these resistant cancer cells and identify new therapeutic targets which overcome this resistance.
Construction of Cancer Databases Using Proteomics
Scientists have been able to construct databases using the data collected from proteomic analysis of certain cancers. The information in these databases can be used to identify novel targets for therapeutics, for conducting research, and even has the potential to help decision making in the clinic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool in the battle against cancer, offering insights into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. By analyzing the complete set of proteins expressed in cancer cells, proteomics enables researchers to identify potential biomarkers for the development of targeted therapies tailored to individual patients.
MCR Committee: Oncology
Reference
Kwon, Y. W., Jo, H. S., Bae, S., Seo, Y., Song, P., Song, M., & Yoon, J. H. (2021). Application of Proteomics in Cancer: Recent Trends and Approaches for Biomarkers Discovery. Frontiers in medicine, 8, 747333. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.747333
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