Alzheimer's-Linked Protein Identified as a Factor in Lung Cancer Brain Metastasis

Recent groundbreaking research conducted by scientists at McMaster University, Cleveland Clinic, and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has uncovered a surprising role of a protein typically associated with Alzheimer's disease in the spread of lung cancer to the brain. This discovery suggests that the same protein, known as BACE1, which is involved in the formation of plaques in Alzheimer's, also plays a significant part in facilitating brain metastases in lung cancer patients.

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, utilized advanced gene activation techniques, including a genome-wide in vivo CRISPR activation screen. This method allowed researchers to systematically turn on thousands of genes in lung cancer cells and observe their behavior in mouse models. The activation of BACE1 notably increased the likelihood of cancer cells invading the brain, highlighting its potential role in metastasis.

BACE1 has long been linked to Alzheimer's disease, where it helps produce amyloid plaques by cleaving the APP protein. However, its newfound involvement in cancer spreading provides a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Currently, treatment options for brain metastases are limited, but existing Alzheimer's drugs that inhibit BACE1, such as Verubecestat, showed promising results in animal studies. Mice treated with this drug exhibited smaller tumors and longer survival times.

This discovery opens the door for repurposing Alzheimer's medications to prevent or slow the dissemination of lung cancer to the brain. Still, more research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms and evaluate the safety and efficacy of such treatments in humans.

Dr. Sheila Singh, a senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of these findings in developing new strategies for managing brain metastases, which are a major challenge in lung cancer treatment. The collaborative effort underscores how interdisciplinary research can uncover unexpected pathways and lead to innovative therapies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.