New Protein Target Discovered for Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment
Australian Scientists Identify Potential “Off Switch” for Cancer Cells
Scientists in Australia have pinpointed a novel protein target that could lead to more precise and effective treatments for Hodgkin Lymphoma, a prevalent form of blood cancer.
A Rogue Protein’s Role in Cancer
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have identified the protein H2A.B as a key player in Hodgkin Lymphoma. This protein, typically found only in cells responsible for sperm production, appears to be “hijacked” by cancer cells in patients diagnosed with this blood cancer.
Targeting Cancer with Precision
ANU Professor David Tremethick, who spearheaded the research, described H2A.B as a “rogue switchboard.” He explained that this protein actively reshapes gene expression. Crucially, because H2A.B is largely absent in healthy tissues, targeting it offers a promising strategy to eliminate cancer cells while sparing normal ones.
“It’s not just sitting on the DNA, it’s actively reshaping how genes are read, how proteins are made, and even how the cancer cell’s internal machinery is rewired to promote tumor growth.”
—David Tremethick, Professor
A “Druggable” Target Emerges
According to ANU Associate Professor Tatiana Soboleva, a co-author of the study, H2A.B is among a select group of proteins with the potential to be “druggable.” This means its cancer-promoting actions could be effectively blocked by pharmaceutical interventions.
The findings, published in the journal *Science Advances*, represent the first evidence detailing how H2A.B enables cancer cells to commandeer gene networks that are usually active only during reproductive processes. The ANU team discovered that H2A.B collaborates with the SWI/SNF protein complex to activate genes, suggesting that disrupting this partnership could halt the protein’s cancer-driving effects.
The National Cancer Institute reports that in 2024, an estimated 9,000 Americans will be diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, underscoring the ongoing need for improved therapeutic strategies (National Cancer Institute, 2024).
