NYC Gazette

Cancer cells have been found to collaborate in acquiring nutrients from their environment, a process that may hold potential for new cancer treatments. Carlos Carmona-Fontaine, an associate professor of biology at New York University, led the study published in Nature. He explained, “We identified cooperative interactions among cancer cells that allow them to proliferate.”

Traditionally, it was understood that cancer cells compete for resources. However, this research indicates they also cooperate under nutrient-scarce conditions. The study tracked tumor cell growth using a robotic microscope and image analysis software across various conditions and densities.

Carmona-Fontaine noted the importance of population density in cooperation: “Surprisingly, we observed that limiting amino acids benefited larger cell populations, but not sparse ones.” The research highlighted the role of oligopeptides as a nutrient source and discovered that tumor cells secrete an enzyme called CNDP2 to digest these peptides into amino acids.

When CNDP2's function was inhibited with bestatin or removed using CRISPR technology, tumor growth was significantly reduced. Carmona-Fontaine stated, “Because we’ve removed their ability to secrete the enzyme and to use the oligopeptides in their environment, cells without CNDP2 can no longer cooperate.”

The findings suggest targeting cooperation among cancer cells could enhance treatment efficacy. Carmona-Fontaine added, “We hope that a clearer understanding of this mechanism can help us make drugs more targeted and more effective.”

This research involved contributions from multiple institutions including NYU’s Center for Genomics and Systems Biology and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Funding came from sources such as the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society.