Inflammation has pleiotropic effects on carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Signaling through the adaptor protein MyD88 promotes carcinogenesis in several chemically induced cancer models. Interestingly, we observed a protective role for MyD88 in the development of AOM/DSS colitis-associated cancer. The inability of Myd88-/- mice to heal ulcers generated upon injury creates an inflammatory environment that increases the frequency of mutations and results in a dramatic increase in adenoma formation and cancer progression. Susceptibility to colitis development and enhanced polyp formation were also observed in Il18-/- mice upon AOM/DSS treatment, suggesting that the phenotype of MyD88 knockouts is in part due to their inability to signal through the IL-18 receptor. This study revealed a previously unknown level of complexity surrounding MyD88 activities downstream of different receptors that differentially impact tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis.
MyD88-mediated signaling prevents development of adenocarcinomas of the colon: role of interleukin 18.
Specimen part, Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain cancer that includes focal amplification of PDGFR and for which there are no effective therapies. Herein, we report the development of a genetically engineered mouse model of GBM based on autocrine, chronic stimulation of PDGFR and the analysis of GBM signaling pathways using proteomics. We discovered the tubulin-binding protein Stathmin1 (STMN1) as a PDGFR phospho-regulated target and that this mis-regulation conferred selective sensitivity to vinblastine (VB) cytotoxicity. Treatment of PDGFR GBMs with VB in mice drastically prolonged survival and was dependent on STMN1. Our work provides a rationale for evaluating genotype-specific anti-microtubule drugs as cancer treatment in select GBM patient populations.
A PDGFRα-driven mouse model of glioblastoma reveals a stathmin1-mediated mechanism of sensitivity to vinblastine.
Specimen part, Treatment
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