SC Connecticut News

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) and their collaborators have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the early stages of cancer formation. By studying mice with a cancer-promoting mutation in their hair follicles, the team was able to identify the precise timing and location of the first physical changes that trigger cancer. This research, led by Tianchi Xin, PhD, Valentina Greco, PhD, and Sergi Regot, PhD, was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

According to Tianchi Xin, PhD, understanding these early events could play a crucial role in developing strategies to prevent cancer formation. The study focused on mice that develop cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer in humans, driven by a mutation in the KRAS gene. Xin explained that the growth of a tiny, abnormal bump in the hair follicle marks a pre-cancerous abnormality and could be a key target for prevention efforts.

Valentina Greco emphasized the importance of connecting different scales in understanding oncogenic events. She highlighted the team's approach of integrating molecular elements with cellular and tissue scales, allowing for a detailed resolution of cancer formation processes in a living animal model.

The researchers discovered that the mutation in the KRAS gene led to changes in stem cell proliferation, migration patterns, and cell division in the hair follicles. By using an MEK inhibitor to block the activity of a downstream protein known as ERK, the team was able to prevent the formation of the pre-cancerous bump. This finding suggests that early changes in cell migration and orientation, rather than just increased cell proliferation, contribute significantly to cancer initiation.

Moving forward, the researchers plan to track the progression of these early events over a longer period and investigate other cancer-promoting factors like inflammation. By gaining insights into the early stages of cancer formation, the team aims to develop novel approaches for cancer prevention that could have far-reaching implications beyond skin cancer.