Alterations in the p53-SOCS2 axis contribute to tumor growth in colon cancer

• Main Authors: Jong-Hwan Kim, Mi-Jin Lee, Goung-Ran Yu, Sang-Wook Kim, Kyu-Yun Jang, Hee-Chul Yu, Baik-Hwan Cho, Dae-Ghon Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2018-04-01
• Series: Experimental and Molecular Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-017-0001-1

Colon cancer: A delicate balance to regulate growth Insights into a signaling protein’s role in cell growth could inform new therapeutic strategies for treating colon cancer. SOCS-2 acts as an ‘off switch’ for cell signaling pathways. It has been identified as possibly protective against many cancers, although some cancers are associated with elevated SOCS-2 levels. Researchers led by Daeghon Kim at Chonbuk National University Hospital in South Korea have now shown that the effects of SOCS-2 are apparently dependent on how much of it is present. Moderate levels of SOCS-2 can suppress growth in colon cancer cells, but Kim’s team showed that excessive SOCS-2 has the opposite effect, promoting proliferation. The researchers also identified a gene commonly mutated in cancer cells that can drive overproduction of SOCS-2. Drugs that inhibit SOCS-2 or block its production may therefore offer useful treatments for colorectal cancer.