Scientists discover the enzyme that lets cancer rapidly rewire its DNA
Why it matters: This breakthrough offers a potential new way to combat some of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers by targeting the root cause of their rapid evolution, offering hope for more effective therapies.
- UC San Diego scientists discovered that the N4BP2 enzyme initiates chromothripsis by breaking down DNA within micronuclei, leading to rapid genetic changes in cancer cells.
- The discovery reveals a crucial mechanism behind cancer's ability to quickly evolve and resist therapy, opening new avenues for treatment strategies.
- Chromothripsis, surprisingly common in cancers like osteosarcomas and brain cancers, can now be targeted by blocking N4BP2, potentially slowing cancer evolution and improving treatment outcomes.
UC San Diego researchers identified the N4BP2 enzyme as the trigger for chromothripsis, a catastrophic DNA shattering event present in one in four cancers that allows tumors to rapidly evolve and resist treatment. Blocking this enzyme dramatically reduced genomic destruction in cancer cells, offering a promising new therapeutic target for aggressive cancers like osteosarcoma and certain brain cancers.
