Harnessing an in vivo CRISPR screening technique, researchers have discovered a new molecular culprit involved in cancer metastasis to the bones. Blocking this molecule in breast or lung cancer cells reduced bone metastasis of the cancer cells in mice, suggesting that targeting this signaling could help mitigate a major driver of discomfort and death in patients with advanced cancer. Metastasis occurs when cancer cells spread beyond the primary tumor site and produce secondary tumors in distant parts of the body. Bones are one of the most common destinations for metastasizing cancer cells, and scientists currently lack treatments that can reliably reduce or eliminate secondary tumors in the bones. Researchers have discovered some mechanisms that enable cancer cells to metastasize and thrive in new tissue types, but the steps and signaling involved in bone metastasis have remained murky. To answer this mystery, Hongqi Teng and colleagues used a CRISPR activation screening system to identify genetic drivers of bone metastasis in mice injected with human lung cancer cells. The team discovered that acyl-coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP) was a key factor involved in bone metastasis. Overexpressing ACBP in nonmetastatic cancer cells caused them to become highly invasive and spread to bone, while knocking out ACBP in highly metastatic cancer cells prevented bone colonization. In patients with breast or lung cancer, they found that metastatic tumors in the bone had higher expression of ACBP than the primary tumor. Furthermore, high expression of ACBP was linked to poor survival outcomes in the patients. Further research showed that ACBP stimulated the oxidation of fatty acids, boosted ATP production, and inhibited a form of cell death called ferroptosis. Teng et al. then showed that etomoxir, an inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, or the ferroptosis-inducing compound IKE prevented bone metastasis in mice with breast cancer or lung cancer cells. However, the team cautions that etomoxir and IKE have unknown safety profiles in humans, and call for further research into safe and robust drugs to target this pathway for translation.

As chair, Alana will lead the department’s academic, research, and administrative efforts while serving as a key strategic partner to Huntsman Cancer Institute. She will guide the department’s research strategy, support faculty in securing external funding, and oversee graduate education, faculty development, and resource management. In close collaboration with U of U Health and Huntsman Cancer Institute leadership, Welm will work to elevate the department’s national profile and foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and scientific excellence.

Abbreviated breast MRI shortens exam time while retaining a high level of diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer in women with extremely dense breasts, according to an article published today.

Initial results from a clinical trial reveal the potential of an anti-osteoporosis drug for its possible application in breast cancer: although it does not reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, it does stimulate the anti-tumour immune response.

Immunotherapy is the strategy that is driving cancer treatment forward, but the response is relatively low in luminal type B breast cancer. This latest finding opens an avenue of clinical interest.

This advance, led by researchers and oncologists at ICO, IBIDELL and the CNIO, is a direct result of the synergy between basic science, clinical research and patient involvement.