Vulnerable Spot Discovered in Deadly Type of Cancer 0 172

Australian scientists have discovered a protein that may be key to the early diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer — the deadliest type of gynecological cancer. The research by scientists from the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS).

The team led by Dr. Hugo Albrecht found that the F2R protein is significantly elevated in tumor tissues, especially in patients with drug resistance and metastases. Knocking out the F2R gene in ovarian cancer cells sharply reduced their ability to move, invade, and form spheroids — key processes in metastasis. Furthermore, suppressing the protein's activity made tumor cells more sensitive to standard chemotherapy.

According to the researchers, F2R could become a new biomarker for identifying aggressive forms of the disease and a basis for personalized treatment methods. The scientists are now preparing for clinical trials that will help confirm its diagnostic and therapeutic value.