CONICET scientists identify protein to improve liver cancer treatment

Researchers from CONICET and Universidad Austral have identified the SMYD2 protein as a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer. The study, published in the journal Molecular Therapy Oncology, suggests that inhibiting this protein provides a dual benefit: it reduces tumor growth and modifies the tumor microenvironment to enhance the immune system's response.

Lead researcher Guillermo Mazzolini noted that combining SMYD2 inhibition with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy resulted in a greater antitumor response than either treatment used alone. This discovery could potentially help expand the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients whose tumors currently show resistance to such treatments. Liver cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer death globally, with approximately 866,000 new cases reported in 2022.