Discovery of cancer-promoting gene pathways may lead to targeted therapies

July 18, 2016

Scientists came together to understand how EZH2, a cancer-promoting gene which is known to be involved in many types of cancers, is activated in breast cancer and lymphomas. The new findings pave the way to develop more effective treatment strategies for aggressive cancers associated with EZH2.

It is known that Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and its catalytic component EZH2 are often overexpressed in multiple human malignancies, which promotes cancer. Interestingly, EZH2 or PRC2 also has a protective role against tumor formation in certain cancer types, including solid tumors and blood cancers. However, it is unclear how this paradoxical role of EZH2/PRC2 – as a tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing gene – is regulated in cancer.

Researchers from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), led by Prof.Qiang Yu, found that the paradoxical role of EZH2/PRC2 in breast cancer can be switched when tumor cells are in hypoxic condition, a situation when fast growing solid tumor cells have been deprived of oxygen. The researchers found that when the tumor cells are supplied with sufficient oxygen, EZH2/PRC2 acts as a tumor suppressor to inhibit some of the genes involved in cancer invasion. However, this protective function against cancer progression is weakened by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1-alpha), which is activated during hypoxia. Instead, EZH2 engages another well-known tumor-promoting gene, FoxM1, to promote breast cancer invasion and this function no longer needs the catalytic function of EZH2.

“Interestingly, this phenomenon seems to be more common in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), as compared to other types of breast cancer,” said Yu. “We were among the first in the world to show a non-catalytic function of EZH2 in cancer a few years ago. Now that we identified a new pathway of EZH2 in promoting TNBC invasion, this finding may lead to a new treatment strategy to target TNBC, a disease in which effective treatments are currently lacking.”

Prof. Wee JooChng, co-corresponding author of the study added, “The study fundamentally changes our understanding on the role of EZH2 in breast cancer. Apart from providing molecular insights into how EZH2/PRC2 is regulated in the tumor microenvironment, it also provides therapeutic implications: without a proper patient stratification, the catalytic inhibitor of EZH2 treatment may exacerbate the disease progression.”

In a separate study on natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, a relatively rare lymphoma that is more common in Asia, the researchers found that EZH2 activity is regulated by a protein kinase called JAK3. Phosphorylation of EZH2 by JAK3 leads to dissociation of EZH2 from PRC2 complex, leading to a non-catalytic activity of EZH2 to promote cancer cell proliferation. Published in Blood in June 2016, the study was led by Chng, whose team focuses on hematological oncology.

Together, these studies in both solid tumors and blood cancers raise concerns on the therapeutic application of EZH2 catalytic inhibitors, which are currently under active clinical development.

GIS Executive Director Prof Huck Hui Ng said, “Findings like these highlight the importance of sustained collaborative research efforts within our community. Deeper insights into these aggressive cancers associated with EZH2 will help us better understand their progression, and in turn, open up new possibilities for more targeted therapies for the patients.”

Tags:

Category: Education, Features

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to HCA for exclusive updates

Top Viewed News

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

Now that the world has returned to normalcy following the pandemic, everyone is back to their daily routines and encounters with stress... Read More

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

As we strive to be the hospital of choice, why not refine our commitment to excellence beyond the pivotal mission of saving lives?... Read More

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Malaysian researchers at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) have published... Read More

 Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and thus subjective; but in some countries, the ideal of beauty begins... Read More

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

In moments of illness, the presence of loved ones can comfort and support. However, it’s important for visitors... Read More

Free counters!

2025 – 2026 Exhibitions



2025 Events


9-11 July
Medical Device Development (MEDIX) – Osaka
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.manufacturing-world.jp


14-16 July
Lab Asia
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia
www.lab-asia.com


16-18 July
Medlab Asia | Asia Health
Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
www.medlabasia.com


24 July
Medlab Asia | Asia Health
Singapore
www.conversationaltechsummitasia.com


13-15 August
Philippines Medical
SMX Convention Center Manila Philippines
www.philmedical.com


21-23 August
REHACARE China
Suzhou, China
www.rehacare-c.com


21-23 August
Medical Fair China
Suzhou, China
www.medicalfair.cn


3-5 September
Thailand Lab International
BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
www.thailandlab.com


3-5 September
Bio Ap International
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioapinter.com


9-12 September
China Dental Show
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
www.chinadentalshow.com


10-11 September
Hospital Management Asia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


10-12 September
Medical Fair Thailand
BITEC, Bangkok
www.medicalfair-thailand.com


10-12 September
GITEX Digi Health & Biotech Thailand
BITEC, Bangkok
www.www.gitexdigihealth.com


11-13 September
Bio Asia Pacific
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioasiapacific.com


16-18 September
OSH India
Hall-6, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E)
www.oshindia.com


24-26 September
Medtec China
Shanghai, China
www.en.medtecchina.com


7-9 October
Malaysia Pharma and Healthcare Expo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.mphcexpo.com


9-11 October
Medical Japan Tokyo
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.medical-jpn.jp


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


29-30 October
United Medical Expo
Astana, Kazakhstan
www.umtexpo.com


7-8 November
Eldercare Exhibition and Conference Asia (ELDEX Asia)
Suntex Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre
www.eldexasia.com


10-12 November
Saudi International Pharma Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudipharmaexpo.com


10-12 November
Saudi International MedLab Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudimedlabexpo.com


27-29 November
International Wellness Expo (IWE 2025)
METIC, Malaysia
www.internationalwellnessexpo.com


27-29 November
Vietnam Medi-Pharm
Friendship Cultural Palace , Hanoi
www.vietnammedipharm.vn


2026 Events


9-12 Febuary
Arab Health
Dubai World Trade Centre
www.arabhealthonline.com


15-17 April
Lab Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
www.lab-indo.com


28-30 April
SEACare
MITEC, KL
wwww.ea-healthcare.com


6-7 May
HealthTechX Asia
Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore
www.healthtechx-asia.com


4-6 June
International Health Industry Expo
China
www.ihe-china.com


16-18 June
CPhI China
SNIEC, Shanghai, China
www.cphi.com


25-27 June
Medical Taiwan
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
www.medicaltaiwan.com.tw


9-11 September
Medical Fair Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medicalfair-asia.com


9-11 September
Medical Manufacturing Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medmanufacturing-asia.com


1-2 October
GITEX Vietnam
Hanoi
www.gitexasia.com