Scientists uncover potential path to treating deadly childhood tumor Jason Mast By Jason Mast April 1, 2024

https://www.statnews.com/2024/04/01/childhood-cancer-tumor-suppressor-st-jude/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=300634896&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--vwhY2Zqbzgz4L1GMs3hyVI5g29s66sl0ZDkj706vDhHtKHgkw4L8wiNZ7Qh0-VyT2Vaw4rr17wwSD2y2xYq3M5yEMCA&utm_content=300634896&utm_source=hs_email “Stunned” scientists stumble upon a way to restore a broken tumor suppressor system It is common to think about cancers as diseases where a gene pushes cells to multiply rapidly, taking over an organ and eventually a whole organism. But 90% of cancers are caused by a tumor suppressor system that fails, allowing damaged cells to multiply in the first place. Figuring out a treatment for this latter type of cancer is much harder because breaking a system that is doing something it shouldn’t is easier than fixing one that isn’t functioning. But researchers at St. Jude were able to revert malignant cells into ordinary ones in cases of rhabdoid tumors, an aggressive childhood cancer. The approach — which is still years away from clinical trials — could provide a roadmap for treating some of the peskiest tumors.“I pretty much dismissed it,” said Charles Roberts, director of the St. Jude’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and senior author on the paper. “And then BAM! That’s exactly what was going on.” Read more.