University of Southampton scientists helping to deliver knock-out blow to multiple cancers

Funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute today, the study found that targeting an enzyme known as NOX4 stops the action of a type of cell called cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), reducing the size of tumours in mice by up to 50 per cent.

Fibroblasts are healthy cells whose role is to hold different types of organs together. When they are hijacked by cancer cells, they become CAFs and are known to help tumours grow, spread and evade therapy.

Until now, attempts to target them have been unsuccessful.

In line with previous studies, the team at the University of Southampton found that higher levels of CAFs were associated with poorer survival in several cancers including bowel and head and neck cancers.

For the first time, they identified NOX4 is needed for CAFs to form and help tumours grow in many cancer types. But they could stop this happening by blocking NOX4 using a drug that is being developed to treat a condition called organ fibrosis.

Cancer Research UK is now funding the Southampton scientists to see if this approach improves treatments like immunotherapy and chemotherapy to make them more effective.

Professor Gareth Thomas, lead researcher and chair of experimental pathology at the University of Southampton, said: “By looking at many types of cancer, we have identified a common mechanism responsible for CAF formation in tumours.

“These cells make cancers aggressive and difficult to treat, and we can see exciting possibilities for targeting CAFs in many patients who don’t respond well to existing therapies.”

Dr Áine McCarthy, Cancer Research UK’s senior science information officer, said: “Some cancers are incredibly difficult to treat, and can use the body’s own cells to help them grow, evade treatment and spread around the body.

“Researchers have been trying to unlock the secrets for many years and this study is a big step forward.”