The EACR’s ‘Highlights in Cancer Research’ is a regular summary of the most interesting and impactful recent papers in cancer research, curated by the Board of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR).
The list below appears in no particular order, and the summary information has been provided by the authors unless otherwise indicated.
Use the dropdown menu or ‘Previous’ and ‘Next’ buttons to navigate the list.
2. Structural Basis of PML-RARA Oncoprotein Targeting by Arsenic Unravels a Cysteine Rheostat Controlling PML Body Assembly and Function
Bercier, P., Wang, Q.Q., Zhang, J. et al. Cancer Discovery. 13(12), 2548-2565 (2023).
doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-23-0453.
Summary of the findings
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a potent therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), curing up to 70% patients as a single agent. APL is driven by the PML/RARA fusion protein, which is targeted for degradation by ATO through binding to its PML moiety. ATO modifies the nuclear distribution and stability of PML/RARA and normal PML proteins. It precipitates their self-assembly into nuclear bodies (NBs), initiating their post-translational modification by SUMO and ultimately their clearance. Yet, how ATO actually binds PML and drives NB assembly remained somehow unsettled. Arsenic efficiently binds sulfur atoms and this work has identified a critical cysteine residue in PML B2 as the key ATO target. PML B-box-2 structure reveals an alpha helix driving hydrophobic trimerization which positions these cysteines to form a trio constituting an ideal arsenic binding site. Arsenic-binding freezes this trimeric interaction, altering PML NB assembly dynamics. Impeding trimer formation (as seen with mutations observed in rare ATO-resistant APL patients) or the key cysteine residue impedes ATO-driven NB assembly, PML sumoylation and PML-RARA degradation. Overall, this study clarifies the interplay between ATO and PML, which underlies APL cure.
.
PML B2 self-assembles as a homo-trimer which contributes to PML nuclear body (NB) formation. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) binds to 3 critical cysteine residues positioned by the trimer, freezing NB dynamics and enforcing NB formation. This triggers sumoylation/ degradation of PML-RARA, driving acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cure.
Future impact
PML modulates response to multiple stress in vivo, including oxidative stress. The cysteine trio identified here represents the PML redox sensing center, highjacked by ATO during APL therapy. PML is required for efficient therapy response to other drugs that ATO. Exploring PML mutants defective for oxidative stress sensing could shed a new light on the role of therapy-driven oxidative stress in drug response.
EACR member Munitta Muthana provides some insight into her team’s experience at EACR 2025 in Lisbon, and how it catalysed the momentum and vision for their...
In recent years, the neuronal component of the cancer microenvironment and the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells have become increasingly recognised as essential for cancer progression....
The EACR's 'Highlights in Cancer Research' is a regular summary of the most interesting and impactful recent papers in cancer research, curated by the Board of...
About Us
The Cancer Researcher is an online magazine for the cancer research community from the European Association for Cancer Research.
The EACR, a registered charity, is a global community for those working and studying in cancer research. Our mission is “The advancement of cancer research for the public benefit: from basic research to prevention, treatment and care.”
Summary of the findings
Summary of the findings
