monensin

Researchers from the "Differentiation and Cancer" group at i3S, in collaboration with António Pombinho, from the "BioSciences Screening" platform, and Filipe Pereira, from Lund University, elucidated the role of the transcription factor HMGA1 in gastric cancer stem cells. The study, entitled "HMGA1 stimulates cancer stem-like features and sensitivity to monensin in gastric cancer," was recently published in the journal "Experimental Cell Research."

Gastric cancer remains one of the most incident and deadly worldwide. It is usually detected in more advanced stages and therefore, the available treatments are not always sufficient to treat patients, leading to a low survival rate. Additionally, in some cases after an apparently successful treatment the cancer recurs. The recognition of cancer stem cells (CSCs) as keys of the tumorigenic process, metastasis and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy makes them an essential target for an efficient cancer treatment.