The research has been published in the 'Journal of Translational Medicine' and involved as main contributors two young researchers, Marco Bocchetti and Alessia Maria Cossu, from the Biogem's Molecular and Precision Oncology Laboratory, led by Professor Michele Caraglia, as well as Dr. Amalia Luce and Professor Silvia Zappavigna, both from the University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli'. The main result of the collaboration between the two institutes was the identification of a microRNA (miR-423-5p) capable of acting as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and, at the same time, influencing key metabolic pathways, reducing the activity of oncogenic proteins.
"In the fight against cancer," explains Dr. Marco Bocchetti, "we have long focused on identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in HCC, as this tumor still lacks sensitive and specific predictive markers, despite therapeutic advances. MicroRNAs are therefore emerging as promising tools both for classifying patients and monitoring therapies, and as targets capable of modulating the tumor microenvironment and overcoming treatment resistance." "Our study," explains Dr. Cossu, "deeper explored the role of miR-423-5p, analyzing its effects on the growth and progression of HCC cells through an integrative approach combining quantitative proteomics, bioinformatics predictions, and experimental validation." "Thanks to our collaboration with the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre at Nottingham Trent University," adds Marco Bocchetti, "we observed that miR-423-5p can act as a powerful brake on tumor growth." We also confirmed that "this microRNA regulates several oncogenic factors and functions as a true 'metabolic regulator' of tumor cells, paving the way for new targeted therapeutic strategies."
"The results of our work," confirms Dr. Cossu, "suggest that analyzing miR-423-5p levels could help identify at-risk patients and monitor therapies. It is also a potential target for new treatments targeting tumor cell metabolism. Future studies, particularly on animal models and human patients, will therefore be crucial for transforming these discoveries into concrete solutions against hepatocellular carcinoma."
Professor Michele Caraglia, co-senior author of the study, agrees with this view, and he is confident that these results "have taken another step forward in understanding the molecular mechanisms driving hepatocellular carcinoma." "The integration of proteomic, bioinformatic, and clinical approaches in this study," Caraglia concludes, "confirms our laboratory's commitment to research focused on preclinical findings, enabling, in this case, the discovery of new tools for early diagnosis and personalized treatment of patients with HCC."
