Researchers at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a new role for the protein ERK in a pathway activated by interferon-gamma that can induce cell death. The study found that interferon-gamma signaling led to hyperactivation of ERK in melanoma cells, causing stress and ultimately cell death. Blocking ERK signaling prevented cell death in 74% of the melanoma cell lines tested. This finding sheds light on how interferon-gamma inhibits tumor cell growth and provides insights into overcoming resistance to treatment. Understanding this pathway could lead to the development of novel combination therapies.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-scientists-pathway-interferon-gamma-tumor-cell.html