Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Liver Cancer Treatment
Researchers from the University of California-Davis have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of gene therapy that could revolutionize the treatment of liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma. The team found that a type of gene therapy involving microRNA-22 (miR-22) showed tremendous potential in treating mice with liver cancer, leading to reduced liver inflammation and improved survival outcomes.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer, and finding effective treatment options has been a challenge. However, this new research offers hope for patients battling this deadly disease. The study, published in the journal Molecular Therapy, explains that miR-22 acts as a brake, inhibiting the production of certain proteins that fuel the growth of liver cancer cells.
Lead researcher Professor Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan believes that miR-22 therapy could be a game-changer for hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment not only enhances anti-tumor immunity but also improves metabolism and reduces inflammation. The results of this study have demonstrated that miR-22 gene therapy could provide better survival outcomes compared to the current US FDA-approved liver cancer treatment, lenvatinib.
Wan’s previous research has shown that metabolites produced by the gut microbiome play a role in creating miR-22 and have anti-cancer benefits. However, in the case of liver or colon cancer, the signaling from these metabolites is reduced, resulting in lower miR-22 levels. This led Wan to hypothesize that increasing miR-22 levels could potentially serve as a treatment for liver cancer.
In the study, miR-22 was introduced into mice through an inactivated adenovirus via a single intravenous injection. The mice treated with miR-22 gene therapy were compared with mice treated with lenvatinib, untreated mice, and healthy mice. Both miR-22 and lenvatinib effectively inhibited the progression of liver cancer compared to the untreated mice. However, the miR-22-treated mice had longer survival times without any observable toxicity as compared to those treated with lenvatinib.
Moreover, the miR-22 and lenvatinib treatments also improved liver function, as indicated by reduced serum levels of biochemical markers such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and cholesterol. The miR-22-treated mice showed no signs of blood or organ toxicity.
At five weeks, the untreated mice had enlarged livers, comprising 33.5% of their body weight. In contrast, the treated mice had smaller, healthier livers, accounting for only 10.9% (miR-22) and 12.0% (lenvatinib) of their body weight. The median survival rate for the lenvatinib group was 46 days, while the miR-22 group had a median survival rate of 50 days. Impressively, two mice treated with miR-22 gene therapy survived for 60 days, in stark contrast to the untreated mice who survived an average of 40 days.
These positive findings from the preclinical study have enthused the research team, offering hope that miR-22 could emerge as a promising alternative for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. With further research and clinical trials, miR-22 gene therapy holds the potential to transform the lives of liver cancer patients worldwide.
In summary, this groundbreaking research showcases the incredible promise of gene therapy, particularly miR-22 treatment, in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma. As scientists delve deeper into this innovative approach, there is renewed hope for improved survival outcomes, enhanced anti-tumor immunity, and better overall treatment for liver cancer patients.
