UPR-induced ovarian cancer cell fusion: mechanisms underpinning drugs

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UPR (unfolded protein response) modulation in combination with conventional chemotherapy drug treatment of ovarian cancer patients may represent an interesting therapeutic strategy (…)

Credit: 2023 Husein et al.

UPR (unfolded protein response) modulation in combination with conventional chemotherapy drug treatment of ovarian cancer patients may represent an interesting therapeutic strategy (…)

BUFFALO, NY- May 26, 2023 – A new editorial paper was published at Oncoscience (Volume 10) on May 11, 2023 entitled, “UPR-induced ovarian cancer cell fusion: a mechanism underpinning drug resistance?”

In this editorial, researcher Melisa Husein, Patrick Petignat And Marie Cohen from Geneva University Discuss epithelial ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is an almost universally fatal disease, ranking as the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related death in industrialized countries in 2021. Despite most diagnoses as advanced disease, the recurrence rate is an astonishing 70% within the first five years.

In addition to surgical resuscitation, the overall main treatment for cancer is adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel combined with platinum-based reagents. Recurrent ovarian cancer is associated with chemotherapy resistance and high death rates due to resistance to therapy. In their editorial, the researchers discuss chemotherapy resistance in recurrent ovarian cancer with a focus on unfolded protein response (UPR) and its influence on the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs).

The importance of understanding recurrent and chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer includes investigating the molecular mechanisms of cancer cells. In this regard, quiescent cancer cell populations have been in the spotlight. Cancer stem cells represent a small percentage of total cancer cells and due to their pluripotent nature lead to cancer recurrence, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Zhang et al. revealed PGCC share similarities with cancer stem cells.

“In summary, increasing evidence suggests that ovarian PGCC is, at least partially, formed by cell fusion and has the capacity to proliferate and promote tumor formation and resistance to chemotherapy.”

Continue reading: DOIs: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.575

Correspondence to: Marie Cohen

Email: (email protected)

Keywords: ovarian cancer, polyploid giant cancer cells, unfolded protein response, drug resistance

About Oncoscience:

Oncoscience is a peer-reviewed, open-access, traditional journal covering the rapidly growing field of cancer research, particularly new topics not currently covered by other journals. This journal has a special mission: Freeing oncologists from publication fees. It’s free for readers and writers.

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