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Updated: Jul 1, 2025

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Dualistic Effects of PRKAR1A as a Potential Anticancer Target in Cancer Cells and Cancer-Derived Stem Cells

Joong-Won Baek1, A-Reum Nam2, Kyunggon Kim3

  • 1Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies novel biomarkers on cancer stem cells (CSCs) to overcome cancer recurrence. Targeting these biomarkers enhances treatment efficacy and reduces resistance, offering a new strategy for cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Current cancer therapies struggle to address cancer recurrence and target cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are key drivers of relapse.
  • Innovative medical technologies and interdisciplinary approaches are needed to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess unique properties that contribute to treatment resistance and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify shared cell surface biomarkers on cancer cells and their derived CSCs for a comprehensive treatment strategy.
  • To investigate the functional roles of identified biomarkers in regulating cancer cell and CSC behavior.
  • To explore the potential of targeting these biomarkers to overcome therapeutic resistance and enhance anticancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis of three cancer cell types and their derived CSCs.
  • Identification and evaluation of shared cell surface biomarkers using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown.
  • Investigation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness regulation via the ERK signaling pathway.
  • Bioinformatic analysis to correlate biomarker significance with clinical patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Shared cell surface biomarkers were identified in cancer cells and CSCs.
  • Biomarker knockdown demonstrated contrasting functions in cancer cells versus CSCs.
  • Targeted protein regulation of EMT and stemness through the ERK pathway was observed.
  • Reduced resistance to anticancer agents and enhanced overall treatment effects were achieved.
  • Biomarker significance was validated in clinical patient data.

Conclusions:

  • The identified biomarkers represent promising targets for a novel, comprehensive cancer treatment strategy.
  • Targeting these biomarkers can potentially overcome limitations of current therapies by addressing CSCs and reducing resistance.
  • This research offers a new therapeutic avenue to improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
cancercancer stem cellsdualistic effectnew biomarkersproteomic analysis

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