Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
05:34
A Cancer Cell Spheroid Assay to Assess Invasion in a 3D Setting
Published on: November 20, 2015
Summary
Small molecule activators of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) show promise as cancer drugs. These compounds inhibited tumor growth in models of KRAS-mutant lung cancer by reducing signaling and promoting cell death.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Deficits in protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) function are implicated in various human cancers.
- Restoring PP2A activity is a therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize novel, orally available small molecule activators of PP2A (SMAPs).
- To evaluate the efficacy of SMAPs in preclinical cancer models, particularly KRAS-mutant lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of SMAP compounds.
- Assessment of SMAP effects on mitogenic signaling and apoptosis in cancer cell lines.
- Evaluation of tumor growth inhibition in murine models.
- Analysis of resistance mechanisms related to PP2A A subunit mutations.
Main Results:
- SMAPs were identified as orally available compounds that activate PP2A.
- SMAPs attenuated mitogenic signaling and induced apoptosis in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells.
- SMAPs inhibited tumor growth in relevant preclinical models.
- Tumor resistance to SMAPs was observed in the presence of specific mutations in the PP2A A subunit.
Conclusions:
- SMAPs represent a promising class of potential anticancer therapeutics.
- Further research into PP2A-regulated pathways targeted by SMAPs is crucial for optimizing cancer treatment strategies.
- Identifying specific cancer types most responsive to SMAPs will guide clinical application.
More Related Videos
06:27A 3D Spheroid Model as a More Physiological System for Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Differentiation and Invasion In Vitro Studies
Published on: August 8, 2019
![Automated Preparation of [68Ga]Ga-3BP-3940 on a Synthesis Module for PET Imaging of the Tumor Microenvironment](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F68356.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
10:33Automated Preparation of [68Ga]Ga-3BP-3940 on a Synthesis Module for PET Imaging of the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: April 25, 2025
Related Concept Videos
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...