New Protein Target Identified for Pediatric Medulloblastoma Treatment

Medulloblastomas are among the most common childhood brain cancers, with Group-3 medulloblastomas being especially aggressive and often resistant to current therapies. A recent study led by researchers at the University of Michigan, published in Cancer Cell, has uncovered a promising new target for treating these deadly tumors. The study focused on analyzing over 2,000 genes that differ in cancer cells compared to normal cells, revealing that elevated levels of the gene for dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (DLAT) are linked to poorer survival outcomes in patients. Importantly, DLAT appears to be regulated by c-MYC, a key protein involved in the cancer’s biology, which in turn is controlled by the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1.

The research utilized cell cultures and mouse models to investigate DLAT’s role, discovering that it participates in cellular metabolism and stress response mechanisms. Interestingly, high DLAT levels also render tumor cells more susceptible to a newly recognized form of cell death called cuproptosis, which is dependent on copper. By employing elesclomol, a molecule that increases copper levels within tumor cells, the team successfully induced cell death and extended survival in mice models with medulloblastomas. Because elesclomol can cross the blood-brain barrier, it holds potential as a therapeutic agent capable of targeting brain tumors in children.

This breakthrough not only sheds light on the metabolic pathways fueling aggressive medulloblastomas but also opens avenues for new treatments that exploit tumor vulnerabilities. The researchers are now working to better understand cuproptosis and explore combining elesclomol with immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes. Future clinical trials may assess whether targeting DLAT and manipulating copper levels can be effective strategies against this challenging pediatric cancer.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-protein-childhood-medulloblastomas.html