BC Cancer Research announced New study finds that cancer-causing proteins in Ewing sarcoma and prostate carcinoma prompt tumour cells to release certain RNAs to turn off the immune response, referring to the article titled Oncogenic ETS fusions promote DNA damage and proinflammatory responses via pericentromeric RNAs in extracellular vesicles published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The article is authored by Dr. Poul Sorensen, Director of the ATM, who is a Professor of Pathology at UBC and a distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute.
Dr. Sorensen and his colleagues revealed that specific proteins in both Ewing sarcoma (EWS-FLI1 and EWS-ERG) and prostate carcinoma (TMPRSS2-ERG or overexpressed ERG) can bind to the person’s own DNA sequences in regions of DNA that are typically silent, and then activate those sequences to amplify the expression of types of RNA known as repeat element RNAs (such as HSAT2 & HSAT3). That RNA is then transported out of the cell via extracellular vesicles, and into the surrounding microenvironment, and potentially more widely. The result is that this process can spread these RNAs to neighbouring tissues, causing immunosuppression, inflammation, and destruction to healthy cellular functions, potentially facilitating the dissemination of cancer cells to other regions of the body. Furthermore, the RNA in question (HSAT2 and HSAT3) can be detected in the blood of patients with Ewing sarcoma. These findings indicate that monitoring these levels may provide an avenue for tailoring diagnostics and treatment of the cancers.
The potential impacts of this research would not only benefit local patients with these specific cancers, but rather patients with such cancers worldwide. Similarly, Dr. Sorensen worked with esteemed researchers both in Canada and internationally to unravel one of the many elaborate mechanisms used by cancerous cells to propagate disease, including those from the Vancouver Prostate Centre, the University of Toronto, and the Technical University of Munich (where Dr. Sorensen is also an Ambassador). As a leader in translational medicine, Dr. Sorensen advocates for others to work collaboratively in the pursuit of collective excellence.
“Successful translational medicine hinges on the willingness to seek those collaborators with different and complementary perspectives in order to work towards a common goal and maximize its impact. I encourage those in the Academy of Translational Medicine’s community to explore their opportunities to build powerful teams driving innovation.”
– Dr. Poul Sorensen
The ATM looks forward to sharing further updates to subsequent updates to this breakthrough of knowledge. Members are encouraged share their own experiences with collaborative research by contacting translational.medicine@ubc.ca.