The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has announced a series of groundbreaking research breakthroughs poised to transform cancer treatment and prevention. These advancements include promising results from HER2-targeted therapy for rare bile duct cancers, novel targets for overcoming treatment resistance in KRAS-mutant cancers, and insights into DNA structure’s role in gene expression. These findings underscore MD Anderson’s commitment to advancing cancer care through cutting-edge research and collaboration.
HER2-Targeted Therapy: A New Hope for Rare Bile Duct Cancers
In a significant development, the HERIZON-BTC-01 clinical trial has revealed that zanidatamab, a bispecific HER2-targeted antibody, delivers durable and clinically meaningful responses for patients with HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. The trial, led by Dr. Shubham Pant, professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, reported an objective response rate of 41.3% and a median duration of response of 15.5 months.
Patients with the highest levels of HER2 overexpression experienced even greater benefits, with a 51.6% response rate and a median duration of response of 18.1 months. “The observed objective response rate, prolonged duration of response, and consistent activity in IHC3+ tumors underscores HER2 as a valid therapeutic target in biliary tract cancer,” Dr. Pant stated.
Overcoming Resistance in KRAS-Mutant Cancers
Researchers at MD Anderson have identified a protein, RASH3D19, that plays a crucial role in activating RAS signaling pathways, contributing to aggressive tumor growth and resistance to KRAS inhibitors. By blocking RASH3D19 alongside KRAS inhibitors, preclinical models showed improved outcomes, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with KRAS-mutant cancers.
Dr. Subrata Sen and Dr. Hiroshi Katayama led the study, highlighting the clinical implications of these findings. “These findings provide crucial clarity on the mechanisms of RAS pathway activation and identify an actionable target responsible for aggressive disease,” Dr. Sen explained.
DNA Shape: A Key Player in Gene Expression
In a study co-led by Dr. Blaine Bartholomew, researchers have demonstrated that DNA rigidity within the nucleosome regulates the positioning of INO80, a key player in DNA transcription. This discovery emphasizes that the physical structure of DNA, not just its genetic information, is vital in gene expression.
Dr. Bartholomew noted, “We have found the remarkable specificity of INO80 to position nucleosomes is due to being stopped by highly inflexible DNA.” This insight opens new avenues for understanding chromatin dynamics and gene regulation.
AI Models and Genomic Analysis
MD Anderson’s researchers have also made strides in evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) models trained on genomic sequences. The study, led by Dr. Chong Wu and Dr. Peng Wei, provides a comprehensive framework for selecting appropriate DNA language models based on specific genomic tasks.
“Our benchmarking study demonstrates that choices such as pre-training data and sequence length can significantly impact performance,” Dr. Wu said. This rigorous benchmarking is crucial for ensuring the transparent and reproducible use of AI models in clinical decision-making.
MD Anderson: A Legacy of Innovation
MD Anderson Cancer Center, located in Houston, is renowned for its dedication to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. As one of the first National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers, MD Anderson continues to lead in cancer research, consistently ranked as the top cancer center in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
The center’s mission to end cancer for patients worldwide is supported by a robust research infrastructure and a commitment to translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. These recent breakthroughs highlight MD Anderson’s ongoing impact in the fight against cancer, offering new hope and treatment strategies for patients globally.
