A recent study has found that elevated levels of specific amino acids in the lungs create an environment that supports cancer cell growth.
On January 1, researchers from the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) Cancer Biology Center in Belgium published their findings in Nature.
The lungs are particularly susceptible to cancer cell invasion. Approximately 54% of patients with advanced cancer originating in other parts of the body eventually develop lung cancer.
The research team identified significantly elevated levels of an amino acid called aspartate in the lungs of both mice and humans with breast cancer.
Aspartate, a key amino acid involved in protein synthesis, was found to activate genetic pathways that enhance cancer aggressiveness and increase the likelihood of lung cancer development.
While aspartate levels are typically very low in normal blood circulation, they were observed at significantly higher concentrations in the lungs of mice with advanced breast cancer. Similar patterns were noted in human lung tumor samples.
Aspartate activates surface proteins in cancer cells, triggering a chain reaction of genetic signals. This signaling cascade strengthens cancer cells’ ability to alter their surrounding environment, promoting aggressive growth.
The researchers suggest that these findings could aid in preventing lung cancer, even in advanced cases where the disease has metastasized to other parts of the body.
Sarah-Maria Fendt, the lead researcher at the VIB Cancer Biology Center, noted that medications targeting these mechanisms are already available. She stated that this discovery could lead to a swift transition to clinical trials, offering new hope for cancer prevention.
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