There are two types of genes that contribute to the growth of tumor cells, tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. Tumor suppressor genes undergo a silencing mutation that prevents them from suppressing the growth of tumors.

Oncogenes promote the growth of cancers and have been associated with many cancers. These genes are associated with the origination of cancer while the scientists in the study examined the underlying factors for disease progression.

Scientists in the current study aimed at identifying the genes that play an important role in metabolic pathways that transform normal cells into cancerous cells. An insight into these genes will aid in understanding the steps involved in cancer growth and the pathways that lead to the progression of cancer.

The study leader Dr. Christian Frezza and colleague Edoardo Gaude studied metabolic genes of 8161 solid tumors and non-cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

"Cellular metabolism is known to be a key part of cancer progression. In our work we used data on patient's prognosis to identify a genetic signature related to metabolism that correlated with poor clinical outcome. Using this information, it could be possible in the future to tailor treatments specific to patients. This genetic signature also gives a new target for the development of drugs that could prevent a cancer from spreading throughout the body,"added Dr Frezza.

OXPHOS Pathway

The genes associated with OXPHOS pathway, which is a pathway in the mitochondria of the cell and is involved in energy production and associated with diabetes and obesity. However, the researchers in this study found that these genes could be used to predict the prognosis of cancer patients.

Poor Cancer Prognosis: The genes associated with the OXPHOS pathway are down-regulated in patients with poor cancer prognosis.

Poorer Cancer Prognosis: The suppression of the genes associated with OXPHOS pathway is an indication of poorer prognosis of cancer as it leads to metastasis.

"The work will inform future patient stratification efforts and demonstrates the important links between metabolism and cancer. Further validation of this work may allow us to predict with greater accuracy a patient's long term survival and design a treatment strategy personalized to improve their chances of living longer," said Dr. Adam Babbs, MRC's Program Manager for Research.

Study Highlights

1. The study found an initial association between the genes associated with OXPHOS pathway and cancer prognosis.
2. The study highlights the significance of mitochondrial function in metastasis and cancer progression.
3. It provides a new line of study for further research and new targets for therapy.

References :

1. Tumor Progression and Metastasis - (http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/3/497.long)
2. Decreased expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation in human pancreatic islets from patients with type 2 diabetes - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178933/)

Source: Medindia