Cytoskeletal Protein Linked to Cervical Cancer Growth Paves Way for Precise Diagnostic Tools

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with most cases caused by high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV16 and HPV18). Despite improvements in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, outcomes for advanced or metastatic disease remain poor. Researchers have now identified a protein that drives cancer spread and drug resistance, offering a potential path toward more precise diagnostic tools and improved treatment.

A study by researchers at The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (Hebei, China) has revealed that Fascin-1, a cytoskeletal protein, is a major contributor to tumor progression. Normally expressed at low levels in healthy cervical tissue, Fascin-1 was found to be significantly elevated in cancer samples and strongly linked with worse survival. This positions the protein as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target for aggressive disease.

Through tissue analysis, cell-based experiments, and mouse models, the researchers demonstrated that Fascin-1 enhances tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistic studies showed that it activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a well-known driver of cancer progression. Silencing Fascin-1 reduced tumor growth and spread while making cancer cells more responsive to cisplatin chemotherapy.

The study, published in Biomolecules and Biomedicine, suggests Fascin-1 could serve as a precise biomarker for aggressive cervical cancer and a therapeutic target to improve existing treatments. Inhibiting this protein may slow progression while enhancing chemotherapy effectiveness. Although specific inhibitors are not yet in clinical use, one candidate, NP-G2-044/DC05F01, is already in phase II trials for solid tumors, highlighting its potential applicability in cervical cancer care.