New Link in Liver Cancer
Topic: Liver Cancer
Author: Rockefeller University
Published: 2009/03/31
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: When TGFbeta is abundant growth hormone activates cancer-promoting STAT3 instead of STAT5 results might explain how chronic liver damage leads to liver cancer.
Introduction
Liver damage can be triggered by various insults, including hepatitis infection or alcohol-induced cirrhosis. In severe cases, this damage can lead to cancer.Main Item
Liver damage can be triggered by various insults, including hepatitis infection or alcohol-induced cirrhosis. In severe cases, this damage can lead to cancer.
A new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Osaka University reveals how one protein helps decide the fate of damaged livers in mice. The study will be published online on March 30th in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Liver cells rely on signals triggered by growth hormone to survive and multiply functions that go haywire in cancer. Normally, growth hormone works by activating a signaling network inside liver cells that includes a protein called STAT5. When the researchers removed STAT5 from liver cells, cancer ensued.
The normally protective effect of STAT5 was traced to its ability to hitch itself to a damage-inducing protein called TGFbeta and trigger its destruction. Without STAT5, TGFbeta levels soared, and growth hormone activated a related protein, STAT3, which is known to promote tumor growth.
TGFbeta and STAT5 appear to be adversaries in the liver, according to the study. STAT5 protects the liver by breaking down TGFbeta. But when TGFbeta is abundant as occurs in people with chronic liver damage growth hormone activates the cancer-promoting STAT3 instead of the protective STAT5. These results might help explain how chronic liver damage can eventually lead to liver cancer.
Explore Related Topics
1 - NAFLD Can Lead to Liver Cancer - Affecting over seven million Canadians, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains an unknown and significant threat to men, women and children.
2 - Nanotechnology May Lead to New Treatment of Liver Cancer - Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in the world and is highly aggressive.
3 - Predicting Spread of Liver Cancer - Potential biomarker for predicting future metastasis in patients with the most common form of liver cancer.
4 - Transplant Criteria for Liver Cancer Patients - Liver transplantation guidelines for allocation of organs for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC liver cancer).
5 - New Link in Liver Cancer - When TGFbeta is abundant growth hormone activates cancer-promoting STAT3 instead of STAT5 results might explain how chronic liver damage leads to liver cancer.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): Rockefeller University. (2009, March 31). New Link in Liver Cancer. Disabled World. Retrieved October 6, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/cancer/liver/liver-cancer-link.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/health/cancer/liver/liver-cancer-link.php">New Link in Liver Cancer</a>: When TGFbeta is abundant growth hormone activates cancer-promoting STAT3 instead of STAT5 results might explain how chronic liver damage leads to liver cancer.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.