OSMR gene is involved in the formation of glioblastoma tumors
Scientists find that the OSMR gene plays a key role in the development of glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is regarded as the most malignant form of brain tumor. Patients with the disease can only survive for about 16 months after diagnosis. Currently, we have no effective drugs for the treatment of the disorder. In order to develop novel therapies, the research team explored what is actually going on in a tumor. (Cusabio offers protein, gene, antibody and kit. http://www.cusabio.com/Recombinant-Protein/Recombinant-mouse-Tryptase-11029971.html)
As is known, a mutant variation of a gene, called EGFRvIII, is involved in glioblastoma. It can generate a key tumor-forming protein. However, therapies that target EGFRvIII have proved ineffective in combating glioblastoma.
In the study, the research team investigated tissue samples from glioblastoma patients. They found that the OSMR gene was highly active in glioblastoma cells. After analyzing existing databases, the researchers discovered that the more active this gene was, the shorter the patient’s life span.
The researchers also investigated brain tumor stem cells from patients with glioblastoma. Generally, when these brain tumor stem cells are injected into mice, they can grow and form new tumors. But when the researchers knocked out the OSMR gene in brain tumor stem cells, these cells can no longer form tumors. The results suggested that the protein OSMR plays a role in glioblastoma.
Based on the findings, the scientists believed that the genes OSMR and EGFRvIII promote tumor growth through a “feed forward” mechanism: when OSMR produces its protein, that signals EGFRvIII to produce its tumor-forming protein.
The study could provide a new way to treat this devastating disease, though it could take years. The research team are now developing antibodies and small molecules to block the OSMR protein or its interaction with EGFRvIII. If they can reverse tumor formation in mice, they may test these techniques in humans.