Date:3/8/2013

elanoma cells suppresses oxidative phosphorylation by reducing expression of a transcription factor called MITF. Suppressing production of MITF reduced levels of a protein called PGC1α that regulates the generation and function of mitochondria. But melanoma cells treated with a BRAF inhibitor showed elevated MITF activity, along with increased expression of oxidative phosphorylation genes and greater numbers of mitochondria. By switching to oxidative phosphorylation to supply the energy they need, the tumor cells increased their ability to survive in spite of BRAF inhibitor treatment.

"These findings suggest that combination treatment with mitochondrial inhibitors could improve the efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in malignant melanoma," says Fisher, the Wigglesworth Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. "Several small molecules that target mitochondrial metabolism have been identified by investigators here at the MGH and elsewhere, and laboratory investigations of specific combinations of BRAF inhibitors with mitochondrial antagonists are currently underway."

'/>"/>

Contact: Michelle Marcella mmarcella@partners.org 617-724-2755 Massachusetts General Hospital Source:Eurekalert

0 GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Breast cancer clinical trial tests combo of heat shock protein inhibitor and hormonal therapy
2. VyGone Inhibitor Zapper: The Brand New Solution For the Safe Treatment Of Sores, Warts and Herpes
3. Inhibitors of shuttle molecule show promise in acute leukemia
4. Leukemia inhibitory factor may be a promising target against pancreatic cancer
5. Uncommon BRAF mutation in melanoma sensitive to MEK inhibitor drug therapy
6. Preclinical data support ongoing clinical trials testing IDO inhibitors as a treatment for cancer
7. PARP inhibitors may have clinical utility in HER2-positive breast cancers
8. New mechanism of action for PARP inhibitors discovered
9. PI3-kinase and PARP inhibitor combo may offer new treatment option for triple-neg breast cancers
10. Scientists at Mainz University identify inhibitor of myelin formation in the central nervous system
11. New small molecule inhibitor could be a safe and first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer