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Stockholm, Sweden – Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a previously unknown mechanism that could help slow down the spread of cancer cells, offering potential new avenues for treatment. The study, led by Dr. Helin Norberg and Dr. Erik Norberg, was published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine.
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with metastasis—when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body—being one of the most severe complications. Currently, there are few effective treatments specifically targeting metastasis, making this discovery particularly significant.
Unexpected Findings in Tumor Suppression
Dr. Helin Norberg has been studying a cellular process known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), which helps break down specific proteins within cells. Meanwhile, Dr. Erik Norberg has been focused on cancer metabolism. Their collaborative research found that by removing the gene LAMP2A, which controls CMA, cancer cells altered their metabolism, grew more aggressively, and formed more metastases.
“This was an unexpected finding. Previously, CMA was believed to promote cancer growth, but our results suggest the opposite,” said Dr. Helin Norberg.
To confirm these findings, the researchers analyzed patient samples from lung cancer patients with brain metastases. They discovered that the metastatic tumors had significantly lower levels of LAMP2A compared to the primary tumors. Similar patterns were observed in samples taken from metastases in 19 different organs.
The Role of CMA in Preventing Tumor Spread
Metastatic cancer cells often undergo a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which enhances their ability to spread. The study demonstrated that proteins involved in EMT are broken down through CMA, suggesting that this process acts as a natural defense mechanism against metastasis.
“A deeper understanding of metastasis-driving proteins can help us develop new treatment strategies,” said Dr. Erik Norberg.
The research team’s next goal is to identify ways to activate CMA to prevent or eliminate metastases. They are already making significant progress in this area and hope their findings will lead to the development of new cancer therapies.
Future Implications for Cancer Treatment
Metastasis remains a major challenge in cancer treatment, with one in three cancer patients already having metastases at the time of diagnosis. Understanding how to eliminate metastasis-driving proteins through CMA could revolutionize cancer therapy and improve patient outcomes.
“Our hope is that the knowledge we have contributed will be used to develop effective treatments to prevent or eliminate metastases,” said Dr. Erik Norberg. “We are fully committed to this research and have already made substantial progress.”
Dr. Norberg also emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “This study is a prime example of strong teamwork between clinicians and preclinical researchers from four different departments at Karolinska Institutet.”
Reference
Zhou, Xun et al. “Chaperone-mediated autophagy regulates the metastatic state of mesenchymal tumors.” EMBO Molecular Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44321-025-00210-w
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. While the research presents promising findings, further studies and clinical trials are necessary to determine its applicability in cancer treatment. Patients should consult their healthcare providers for guidance on cancer treatment and management.
