Granada, Spain – Researchers at GENyO, the University of Granada, and the Granada Institute for Health Research have identified a molecular mechanism contributing to the development and progression of lung cancer, offering a potential new avenue for therapeutic intervention. The study, published this week, centers on the RBM10 gene and its impact on circular RNA molecules, which play a role in controlling tumor growth.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with approximately 2.5 million new cases and over 1.8 million fatalities annually, accounting for nearly 18% of all cancer deaths, according to recent estimates from the World Health Organization and GLOBOCAN. In Spain, it is the most deadly form of cancer, projected to cause around 22,000 deaths in 2025 alone, data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) indicates.
The research team discovered that alterations in the RBM10 gene, frequently observed in patients with lung adenocarcinoma – the most common type of lung cancer – disrupt the production of specific circular RNAs. These RNAs act as internal regulators within cells, influencing how genetic instructions are utilized. When RBM10 malfunctions, this regulatory control is lost, potentially accelerating tumor growth.
“RBM10 acts as a kind of regulator,” explained Ana Utrilla, a lead author of the study, alongside Ana Matía and Paola Peinado. “When this gene fails, the balance of these circular RNAs is altered, and the cell loses some of its control mechanisms against cancer.”
Specifically, the study highlighted the role of a circular RNA called circHIPK3. Researchers found consistently reduced levels of circHIPK3 in tumor samples, particularly those with RBM10 mutations. Restoring circHIPK3 levels in tumor cells and animal models significantly reduced tumor growth.
“We have seen that RBM10 acts as a species of regulator,” Utrilla stated.
The findings, detailed in a dataset published on February 12, 2026, suggest that decreased circHIPK3 levels could serve as a biomarker for identifying specific tumor states. Restoring the balance of these circular RNAs could potentially become a complementary therapeutic strategy for certain patients. However, researchers emphasize that these are pre-clinical findings and require further investigation to confirm safety and efficacy.
Pedro Pablo Medina Vico, Professor at the University of Granada and director of the research, stated that the study “opens a new avenue for developing more precise diagnostic tools and, in the long term, new treatment options for patients whose tumors have lost this control mechanism.”
The research was funded by grants from the Junta de Andalucía and the Spanish Government, as well as private donations from Rosario Martín, the ROLUCAN Association (Rota Lucha Contra el Cáncer), and the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
