UNC Lineberger Researchers Discover Experimental Compound to Block Lymphoma
Researchers at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina have made a significant discovery regarding primary effusion lymphoma, a highly aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They have identified a hyperactive cell that plays a crucial role in tumor growth, and they have also developed a potential treatment strategy to counteract its downstream effects.
In their study, the researchers observed that a protein called Tyro3 is overexpressed in primary effusion lymphoma. This finding provided valuable insight into the nature of this subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Furthermore, the team created a compound specifically designed to target Tyro3. They discovered that this compound effectively killed both primary effusion lymphoma cells and tumors.
One experimental therapeutic that emerged from this research is UNC3810A, which was developed to block the signal produced by the hyperactive cell. By inhibiting this signal, the researchers were able to slow down tumor growth, offering a potential avenue for treatment.
The team of authors involved in this study included Blossom Damania, Ph.D., who serves as the vice dean for research in the UNC School of Medicine at UNC Lineberger. Other contributors to the research include Wong, Johnson, Wang, Stuhlmiller, Giffin, Lin, Bigi, Zhao, Zhang, Bravo Cruz, Park, Earp, Dittmer, and Frye, all of whom played a crucial role in unraveling the mechanisms of primary effusion lymphoma and developing targeted treatments.
