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Researchers Discover a Key Protein in Endometrial Cancer Growth

Adriana Rodriguez and Jay Gertz

The hormone estrogen plays many critical roles in men and women, in both healthy tissues and in cancer. In breast and gynecologic cancers, estrogen sends signals to tumors instructing the cancer cells to grow out of control. In recent years, studies have shed light on the growth-promoting role of estrogen in breast cancer. In endometrial cancer, which arises in the lining of the uterus, estrogen is known to play a critical role in tumor development, yet many insights from how it affects breast cancer do not apply to endometrial cancer. New research, published today in the journal , outlines findings scientists hope will advance our understanding of endometrial cancer and lead to more effective treatments.

鈥淲e started out with a question of how estrogen signaling works in endometrial cancer,鈥 said Adriana Rodriguez, lead study author. 鈥淢ost of what we know about estrogen receptor comes from work in breast cancer, although we know that estrogen receptor affects different genes in the two cancer types. In this study, we went looking for which proteins influence estrogen receptor in endometrial cancer cells.鈥 Rodriguez is a PhD student at the 香蕉视频 of Utah and is a member of the Jay Gertz Laboratory at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the (U of U). 

Endometrial cancers donated by patients for research were studied by the Jay Gertz Laboratory. ETV4 (as indicated by brown staining) is present in these samples. Gertz and his colleagues are working to understand the role of ETV4 in endometrial cancer. Image courtesy of the Gertz Lab.
Endometrial cancers donated by patients for research were studied by the Jay Gertz Laboratory. ETV4 (as indicated by brown staining) is present in these samples. Gertz and his colleagues are working to understand the role of ETV4 in endometrial cancer. Image courtesy of the Gertz Lab.

The researchers discovered that a protein called ETV4 plays a key role in how estrogen communicates with endometrial cancer cells. Estrogen sends pro-growth signals to the cells, and estrogen receptor carries out these signals. The study found that when ETV4 was removed from endometrial cancer cells, estrogen signaling was greatly reduced, subsequently leading to diminished tumor growth. 鈥淭o our surprise, we found that ETV4 helped to promote estrogen signaling in two ways: first, it was telling estrogen receptor where to bind in the genome; and second, it was causing more estrogen receptor to be active,鈥 said , a cancer researcher at HCI and assistant professor of oncological sciences at the U of U. Gertz鈥檚 lab led the study. 鈥淚f we can find out what is causing ETV4 to be active, then we have a chance of reducing growth-promoting estrogen signaling in uterine tumors.鈥

Gertz鈥檚 lab used state-of-the-art genomics techniques and collaborated with several research teams with different expertise to expand the study. Using tissue from human tumors growing in mice, the team analyzed ETV4 and estrogen receptor in endometrial cancer. 

鈥淯terine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and the fourth most common cancer in Utah women,鈥 says Gertz. 鈥淯nfortunately, this cancer is on the rise and there are limited treatments for the disease. We believe this study lays the groundwork for future research into ways of blocking estrogen signaling in endometrial cancer.鈥

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including P30 CA042014; the National Institutes of Health/National Human Genome Research Institute, including R00 HG006922 and R01 HG008974; and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Other study contributors include the Barbara Graves, Bryan Welm, and Margit Janat-Amsbury labs.

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Huntsman Cancer Institute
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About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 香蕉视频 of Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

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