- Researchers have discovered that the gene EP300 can both inhibit and promote small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).
- By manipulating the gene, the researchers were able to stop the spread of cancer in mouse models.
- The scientists hope that this new approach might lead to better treatments for a range of cancers.
The research, which appears in the journal Science Advances, lays the groundwork for developing future cancer treatments for humans.
An estimated 13% of diagnosed lung cancer is SCLC. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, SCLC is an aggressive type of cancer “characterized by rapid, uncontrolled growth of certain cells in the lungs.”
If SCLC is caught early and before it has spread, treatments can control the disease in up to 25% of cases.
The authors of the recent study wanted to understand the role of EP300 gene mutations in SCLC.
