Survival Protein May Prevent Collateral Damage From Cancer Therapies

Australian researchers have identified a protein that could protect the kidneys from bystander damage caused by cancer therapies. The study was published in EMBO Journal. 

Inhibiting the protein—called BCL-XL—has been proposed as a potential new cancer therapy, and this research also revealed that in contrast to genetic deletion of BCL-XL, BCL-XL-inhibitory agents can be safely used in laboratory models alone or in combination with other cancer therapies. The research was led by a team at Walter and Eliza Halt Institute. 

"To address this, we developed a new laboratory model in which the BCL-XL protein was permanently removed from all cells other than blood cells," lead researcher Stephanie Grabow said. Using this strategy, the team explored whether BCL-XL helped cells to withstand a particularly stressful event, such as exposure to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

"We discovered that without BCL-XL, kidney cells were highly susceptible to damage by both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Healthy kidneys remove waste from our body, creating urine, but also maintain healthy numbers of red blood cells by releasing a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). Without BCL-XL, the kidneys could not perform either of these vital functions," co lead researcher Kerstin Brinkmann said.

"We were thrilled to discover that a research compound that inhibits BCL-XL could be administered alone, or at a low dose even in combination with common chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy without any evidence of kidney damage or other unwanted side effects,” they concluded.