Related Experiment Videos
ONC201: Stressing tumors to death
Yoshimi Endo Greer1, Stanley Lipkowitz2
1Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Science Signaling
|February 18, 2016
Summary
The small molecule ONC201 induces tumor cell death by triggering a stress response. Its mechanisms of action vary between blood cancers and solid tumors, revealing tissue-specific pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce cancer cell death.
- ONC201 is a small molecule identified for its potential to upregulate TRAIL.
- Understanding drug-induced stress responses is crucial for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cytotoxic mechanisms of ONC201 beyond TRAIL induction.
- To explore the role of stress response pathways in ONC201-mediated cell death.
- To identify potential differences in ONC201's action in various cancer types.
Main Methods:
- Compound screening to identify TRAIL-inducing agents.
- Analysis of cellular stress responses following ONC201 treatment.
- Comparative studies in hematological malignancies and solid tumor models.
Main Results:
- ONC201 triggers cytotoxicity through induced stress responses.
- The specific stress response pathways differ between blood cancers and solid tumors.
- This highlights tissue-specific activation of pathways by ONC201.
Conclusions:
- ONC201 exhibits complex cytotoxicity involving stress responses.
- Tissue-specific mechanisms underscore the need for tailored therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into ONC201's pathways may reveal new cancer treatment avenues.
Related Concept Videos
The Tumor Microenvironment
8.1K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
8.1K
Tumor Immunotherapy
2.2K
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.2K