Singaporean scientists from the ASTAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have made a breakthrough in understanding gastric cancer recurrence by identifying cancer stem cells marked by the protein Aquaporin5 (AQP5). Published in the journal Science, the study reveals that targeting these AQP5-expressing cells can prevent tumours from regrowing, even in advanced stages where cancer has spread to other organs.
Gastric cancer is a major health issue in Singapore and Asia, with high recurrence rates contributing to poor survival outcomes. The disease often returns after initial treatment, spreading to organs like the liver or lungs. Researchers have long suspected that a small population of cancer stem cells survives conventional therapies, leading to tumour regrowth.
The ASTAR team discovered that AQP5 not only marks these cancer stem cells but also contributes to their aggressive behaviour. By eliminating AQP5-expressing cells in laboratory models, researchers observed that tumours stopped growing or shrank and did not recur. This finding offers a promising target for developing new therapies aimed at achieving lasting remission for patients.
Prof Nick Barker, Senior Principal Scientist at ASTAR IMCB, stated, “These findings give us a defined target to pursue. We are now working to develop therapies against AQP5-expressing cells that could offer patients a better chance of lasting remission.”
The research team is currently developing AQP5-specific antibodies and evaluating drug candidates, with plans for preclinical studies. Any potential therapy will require clinical trials before becoming available to patients, a process that typically spans several years.
