New Research Uncovers Rogue Protein Driving Hodgkin Lymphoma Growth

Recent scientific research from the Australian National University (ANU) has identified a rogue protein that significantly contributes to the development and progression of Hodgkin lymphoma, a common form of blood cancer. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that the protein H2A.B—normally present only in sperm-producing cells—has been hijacked by cancer cells to promote tumor growth and survival. Professor David Tremethick explained that H2A.B acts like a disruptive switchboard within the cancer cells, actively influencing gene expression, protein production, and the internal cellular machinery to favor cancer progression.

This abnormal presence and activity of H2A.B help the cancer cells rewire their genetic programming, making the disease more aggressive. Importantly, because H2A.B is not typically found in healthy tissues, it represents a promising target for highly selective cancer therapies that could minimize damage to normal cells.

Co-author Associate Professor Tatiana Soboleva highlighted that H2A.B's unique properties make it a potentially druggable protein. Targeting its modifications or interactions with other proteins, such as the SWI/SNF complex, could effectively hinder cancer-promoting pathways. This new understanding of how H2A.B functions provides a pathway to develop smarter, more precise treatments by disrupting its role in reactivating cancer-specific genes.

Overall, this breakthrough sheds light on the broader pattern of cancer cells reactivating reproductive genes, advancing the pursuit of targeted therapies that interfere with these reprogramming processes. Researchers believe that further exploration of H2A.B and its interactions could lead to innovative treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma and possibly other cancers.