A research team from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Erlangen University Hospital has developed a new therapeutic approach for treating liver metastases. The aim is to deprive tumors of their breeding ground. The focus is therefore not on the tumor itself, but on the liver environment, which can be specifically modified to limit metastasis.
In the fight against liver metastases, an interdisciplinary research team from FAU and Erlangen University Hospital is pursuing an innovative approach: instead of attacking the cancer cells directly, the therapy targets the liver environment, which is an attractive habitat for tumor cells. The researchers published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
The focus is on the NPY-Y5R signaling axis. The molecule NPY, which is produced in the liver, promotes the settlement and growth of tumor cells via the Y5R receptor. By specifically disrupting this molecular communication, the researchers were able to successfully curb liver metastasis in preclinical models.
This approach - targeting the organ niche instead of the tumor cell - opens up new therapeutic options. This could be a significant advance, especially for patients with melanoma, colon, stomach, breast, or pancreatic cancer, as the liver is often the target of metastases.
The next steps are to further develop the therapy, conduct safety tests, and prepare for clinical trials. There is still a long way to go before it can be used in practice, but the promising results mark a significant milestone.