Chengjian Mao and his graduate students

Scientists, including CCIL members David Shapiro, Erik Nelson, and Paul Hergenrother (not shown), have identified a protein that plays a critical role in the action of several emerging cancer therapies. The researchers say the discovery will likely aid efforts to fine-tune the use of immunotherapies against several challenging cancers.

The researchers unexpectedly found that TRPM4 emerged as a key driver of the process of necrosis in cancer cells treated with ErSO and BHPI. The team also found that TRPM4 was important for the activity of several other necrosis-inducing cancer therapies.

“This will enable physicians to identify patients most likely to benefit from necrosis-inducing therapies because their cancers have high TRPM4 levels,” Shapiro said.

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