February 6, 2004

Study finds protein role in endometrial cancer

A collaborative study among MGH researchers from Pathology, Urology and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service suggests that a protein known to have a role in regulating cell growth is involved in the development of endometrial cancer, one of the most common gynecological tumors. Earlier research had shown that the protein — called Cables — helps to control the proliferation of cells. In the Jan. 1 issue of Cancer Research the MGH research team — led by Lawrence Zukerberg, MD, of MGH Pathology, and Bo Rueda, PhD, of the MGH Vincent — reported developing a strain of mice in whom the gene for Cables had been knocked out.

Although the animals appeared healthy, the endometrium (lining of the uterus) in knockout females was overgrown and disorganized, with early-stage cancer seen even in young mice. Studies of human endometrial tissue, both normal and malignant, found that the presence of Cables was reduced during normal proliferation and was lost in most specimens showing abnormal overgrowth or cancer. The results suggest a role for Cables in the pathogenesis of human endometrial cancer and that additional studies of the knockout mice could further improve understanding of the disease.

MGH authors of the study are co-first author Robert DeBernardo, MD, with Maureen Lynch, PhD, Ramey Littell, MD, and Linda Duska, MD, of the MGH Vincent; Sandra Kirley of MGH Urology; and Massimo D'Apuzzo, MD, PhD, of MGH Pathology.