SIX1 and EWS/FLI1 co-regulate an anti-metastatic gene network in Ewing Sarcoma
Ewing sarcoma is characterized by the fusion of two proteins such as EWS/FLI1. In another Ewing sarcoma study, SIX1 and EWS/FLI1 co-regulate an anti-metastatic gene network in Ewing Sarcoma, the investigators demonstrate that another protein, SIX1, which enhances metastasis in most tumor types, decreases the likelihood of metastasis in Ewing sarcoma by co-regulating the same genes as EWS/FLI1. Like EWS/FLI1, SIX1 increases cell growth and transformation into cancer cells, but significantly inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion, and metastasis in the body. Additional studies are needed to determine the exact mechanisms leading to these characteristics in Ewing sarcoma. While drugs that inhibit SIX1 are being developed for the treatment of other tumor types, this study suggests that targeting SIX1 in Ewing sarcoma may increase metastasis and tumor progression. Additional studies on the role of SIX1 in different sarcomas are required to determine if similar results occur in similar tumor types.