A*STAR disarms pathway protecting lung cancer cells

The discovery addresses resistance amongst patients after one to two years of treatment.

Researchers at Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have identified a cellular pathway that allows EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells to survive treatment. 

This finding could influence future drug development and treatment strategies.

The study, published in Science Advances, shows that high energy levels inside cancer cells activate a signalling process that protects mutant EGFR proteins from breaking down after targeted therapy.

EGFR-targeted drugs are widely used to treat lung adenocarcinoma, particularly in Asia, but most patients develop resistance within one to two years.

In laboratory models, blocking this pathway led to the breakdown of mutant EGFR proteins and reduced tumour growth.

The results point to a potential new drug target that could be used alongside existing therapies to delay resistance.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with EGFR mutations more common in East Asian patients.