Selected Grantee Publications

Host-Derived Growth Factors Drive ERK Phosphorylation and MCL1 Expression to Promote Osteosarcoma Cell Survival During Metastatic Lung Colonization

McAloney et al., Cellular Oncology. 2023.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37676378/

Mortality from osteosarcoma is closely linked to lung metastasis, even though the lung appears to be a hostile environment for tumor cells. Using female mice, researchers assessed changes in both host and tumor cells during colonization. Their findings suggest that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is significantly elevated in early and established metastases, which correlates with expression of anti-apoptotic genes (e.g., MCL1). The authors conclude that niche-derived growth factors drive increased MAPK activity and MCL1 expression in osteosarcoma, promoting metastatic colonization. This gene is a promising target for future therapeutic development. Supported by ORIP (K01OD031811), NCI, and NCATS.