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UID:866@biocityturku.fi
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260211T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260211T160000
DTSTAMP:20260211T094217Z
URL:https://biocityturku.fi/events/fican-science-webinar-3/
SUMMARY:FICAN Science Webinar
DESCRIPTION:11th February at 15:00–16:00\nOnline event\nin Teams Join the
  meeting here (Microsoft Teams)\n\nWelcome to the next FICAN Science Webin
 ar with\n\nProf. Riikka Kivelä\, University of Jyväskylä\nDenovo choles
 terol biosynthesis as a metabolic vulnerability in rhabdomyosarcoma – im
 plications for novel treatmenr options\n\nThe webinar is hosted by FICAN
  East and chaired by Prof. Arto Mannermaa.\n\nThese nationwide FICAN webin
 ars provide a platform to share new scientific findings\, highlight recent
  advances in cancer research\, and foster collaboration among cancer resea
 rchers and clinicians across Finland.\n\nRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggr
 essive pediatric soft-tissue cancer. Identification of RMS precursor cells
  and models has been a challenge due to unknown molecular mechanisms that 
 drive the common proliferative myogenic phenotype. Our studies have reveal
 ed that the PROX1 transcription factor is essential for the growth and myo
 genic features of RMS\, and its downregulation reverts RD cells to a pheno
 type resembling benign mesenchymal stem cells. Our findings demonstrate th
 at the effects of PROX1 on RMS cell growth are mediated by FGFR\, predomin
 antly by FGFR1 and FGFR4\, which were found to compensate for each other. 
 Our findings place PROX1 as a major mediator of RMS characteristics and de
 velopment and suggests that pan-FGFR inhibitors provide a promising option
  for the treatment of RMS. We have also identified de novo cholesterol bio
 synthesis as a key metabolic vulnerability in rhabdomyosarcoma\, regulated
  by PROX1. Cholesterol synthesis inhibition halts RMS cell proliferation a
 nd triggers ER stress-induced apoptosis\, offering a promising therapeutic
  strategy. The findings highlight a potential therapeutic strategy for rha
 bdomyosarcoma by targeting de novo cholesterol biosynthesis\, as statins a
 re already widely used and well tolerated.\n\nRelevat references from the
  speaker for this talk:\n\n 	Gizaw NY\, Kallio P\, Punger T\, Gucciardo E\
 , Haglund C\, Böhling T\, Lehti K\, Sampo M\, Alitalo K\, Kivelä R. PROX
 1 transcription factor controls rhabdomyosarcoma growth\, stemness\, myoge
 nic properties and therapeutic targets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Dec
  6\;119(49):e2116220119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2116220119.\n 	Gizaw NY\, Kolar
 i K\, Kallio P\, Alitalo K\, Kivelä R. Inhibiting cholesterol synthesis h
 alts rhabdomyosarcoma growth via ER stress and cell cycle arrest. EMBO Mol
  Med. 2025 Dec\;17(12):3586-3606. doi: 10.1038/s44321-025-00336-x.\n\nFor 
 more information on the FICAN science webinar series\, please contact info
 @fican.fi
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CATEGORIES:Other events
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