Fascin-1 Protein: A Key Player in Cervical Cancer Spread and Treatment Resistance
New research identifies Fascin-1 as a key driver of cervical cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance, offering promising targets for future therapies.
Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge worldwide, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women. The primary cause is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, particularly HPV16 and HPV18. Despite advancements in treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, patients with advanced or metastatic disease often face limited options and poor prognoses.
Recent research conducted by scientists at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang has uncovered the critical role of a protein called Fascin-1 in the progression of cervical cancer. Normally, Fascin-1 is expressed at low levels in healthy cervical tissue, but it becomes significantly elevated in cancerous tissues. This rise in Fascin-1 levels correlates strongly with more aggressive disease and worse survival outcomes.
The study, published in the journal Biomolecules and Biomedicine, utilized patient tissue analysis, cell-based experiments, and animal models to explore Fascin-1's functions. Findings revealed that Fascin-1 promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, primarily by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway—a pathway well known for its involvement in cancer development.
Importantly, silencing or inhibiting Fascin-1 resulted in decreased tumor growth and metastasis in models and increased cancer cell sensitivity to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. These results suggest that Fascin-1 serves both as a biomarker for aggressive cervical cancer and as a promising therapeutic target.
Although specific drugs to inhibit Fascin-1 are not yet approved for clinical use, ongoing trials are testing candidates like NP-G2-044/DC05F01 for other solid tumors. This opens up the potential for future treatments targeting Fascin-1 in cervical cancer patients.
Overall, this research enhances understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cervical cancer spread and resistance to therapy. Targeting Fascin-1 could pave the way for more effective diagnostic and treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-fascin-protein-driver-cervical-cancer.html]
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