Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Cancer

Regulating cholesterol levels might be the key to improving cancer treatment

April 30, 2024
in Cancer
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen
67
SHARES
606
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

A team of researchers from Aarhus University has made a remarkable discovery that could improve cancer treatment and the treatment of a number of other illnesses.

Professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen

Credit: AU Health

A team of researchers from Aarhus University has made a remarkable discovery that could improve cancer treatment and the treatment of a number of other illnesses.

The key lies in regulating cholesterol levels, which can help make existing treatments more effective.

“We’ve identified a new mechanism that can regulate a crucial immune pathway in the fight against cancer, and this gives us a deeper understanding of how we can activate the body’s own defence against the disease,” explains Professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen from the Department of Biomedicine and one of the last three authors of the study.

Special focus on an essential protein

The researchers have focused on the so-called STING protein, an important element of the immune system’s defence against cancer cells.

By manipulating cholesterol levels, the researchers were able to improve the function of the STING protein, thereby opening up new ways of bolstering the body’s natural defences against cancer.

Effective cancer treatment depends on the strength of the patient’s immune system and how well it can be boosted to kill cancer cells.

According to Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen, cancer treatment requires a combination of treatment strategies that trigger local immune activation in the tumour, attract cytotoxic T cells, and stimulate broader activation of immune cells.

And this is where the new mechanism presents new opportunities.

“The STING protein has already shown promise in cancer treatment, but we haven’t yet discovered how to activate it in a clinical context. Our research provides a new approach to boosting the activity of the STING protein, giving us another way of harnessing the body’s natural defences against cancer,” he explains.

Result of cross-disciplinary collaboration

The study is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers at Aarhus University and Aalborg University, including Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen and Emil Kofod-Olsen, who are specialists in STING signalling and cancer immunology, and Baocun Zhang and Søren Riis Paludan, who have in-depth knowledge of the molecular biology of the STING protein and its role in a number of illnesses.

The combination of different disciplines has been crucial in linking cholesterol levels with immune responses to cancer.

“Our discovery is a direct result of bringing together experts from different fields. The collaboration has created a unique understanding of how we can fight back against cancer more effectively,” says Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen.

Could pave the way for several drugs

The discovery of how cholesterol affects the STING protein not only opens new doors to cancer treatment. Researchers also expect the mechanism to play a role in the fight against a number of other illnesses.

“Thanks to increased knowledge about both the mechanism of action in the STING protein and how the protein contributes to a number of illnesses, it is now more likely that a number of new drugs against those illnesses can be developed,” says Professor Søren Riis Paludan.

This would include autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, in which the immune system also plays a crucial role.


The research results – more information

Type of Study: Experimental research that includes animal experiments with mice and cell culture studies.

Collaborators: Department of Medicine and Health Technology, Aalborg University, Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital.

External Funding: European Research Council, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Danish Cancer Society, Aase and Einar Danielsen’s Foundation, The Erichsen Family Foundation, Lundbeck Foundation.

Conflict of Interest: Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen is a shareholder in STipe Therapeutics, which develops cancer immunotherapies targeting the STING pathway. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

Link to the scientific article: 



Journal

Nature Communications

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Cholesterol-binding motifs in STING that control endoplasmic reticulum retention mediate anti-tumoral activity of cholesterol-lowering compounds

Article Publication Date

29-Mar-2024

Share27Tweet17
Previous Post

Machine listening: Making speech recognition systems more inclusive

Next Post

USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

Related Posts

blank
Cancer

Deep Learning Automates Lung Cancer Lymph Node Contouring

September 30, 2025
blank
Cancer

Patient-Reported Outcomes from NRG Oncology Trial Indicate Quality of Life Improvement with Twice-Daily vs. Once-Daily Radiation in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

September 30, 2025
blank
Cancer

NRG Oncology Trial Reveals Enhanced Survival in Glioblastoma Patients Treated with Proton Therapy, Advances to Phase III

September 30, 2025
blank
Cancer

Irisin Levels in Endometrial Disease: A Study

September 30, 2025
blank
Cancer

AI Model Predicts Breast Cancer Care Delays

September 30, 2025
blank
Cancer

Torso FDG-PET Predicts Advanced Lung Cancer Outcomes

September 30, 2025
Next Post
nephron progenitor cells

USC-led study introduces a new and improved way to grow the cells that give rise to the kidney’s filtration system

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27561 shares
    Share 11021 Tweet 6888
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    969 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 242
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    646 shares
    Share 258 Tweet 162
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    513 shares
    Share 205 Tweet 128
  • Groundbreaking Clinical Trial Reveals Lubiprostone Enhances Kidney Function

    475 shares
    Share 190 Tweet 119
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • 青少年抑郁症中的手机成瘾机制
  • Geriatric Nutrition Index: Key to IPF Exacerbation Risk
  • Deep Learning Automates Lung Cancer Lymph Node Contouring
  • Patient-Reported Outcomes from NRG Oncology Trial Indicate Quality of Life Improvement with Twice-Daily vs. Once-Daily Radiation in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,185 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading