SC Connecticut News

A recent study conducted by Yale researchers has identified a key driver of liver cancer that could potentially serve as a target for future treatments. Published in Nature Metabolism, the research highlights the role of a molecule known as fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) in tumor progression. According to the findings, inhibiting FABP5 has shown promising results in blocking tumor growth in mice, suggesting a potential avenue for combating liver cancer.

"Obesity-related hepatocellular carcinoma is also on the rise in the United States as rates of metabolic disease increase," stated Carlos Fernández-Hernando, the senior author of the study and a professor at Yale School of Medicine. The study revealed that FABP5 is highly elevated in liver tumor cells, indicating its significance in the development of liver cancer.

Jonathan Sun, lead author of the study, explained, "One thing that stood out to us was that this molecule FABP5 was highly elevated in liver tumor cells. We also observed that it was expressed in immune cells called macrophages localized in the tumors."

The researchers found that inhibiting FABP5 not only made the tumor cells more susceptible to cell death but also altered the tumor microenvironment, making it more hostile to cancer cells. This approach led to a significant reduction in tumor progression in mice treated with the FABP5 inhibitor compared to untreated mice.

"Inhibiting FABP5 caused macrophages to shift to a more pro-inflammatory state that led them to activate other immune cells. It rewired the microenvironment to be more aggressive against cancer cells," explained Sun.

The study's co-senior author, Yajaira Suárez, highlighted the importance of these findings in potentially advancing treatments for liver cancer. Moving forward, the researchers aim to delve deeper into the molecular mechanisms linking FABP5 to tumor progression and explore the potential impact of FABP5 inhibition on other types of cancer and diseases like cardiovascular disease.

The collaborative effort involved researchers from Yale School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, and the Liver Center at YSM. This groundbreaking research provides new insights into the mechanisms driving liver cancer and offers hope for more effective treatment strategies in the future.