In a landmark study published recently in Chinese Neurosurgical Journal, Chinese researchers have identified the protein FAM111B as a crucial molecular accelerator in glioma, the most common and deadly form of primary brain cancer in adults.
Led by Dr. Quan Du of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and Westlake University, the study demonstrates that FAM111B is significantly overexpressed in glioma tissues, especially in high‑grade tumors. Analysis of data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and CGGA (Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas) revealed a strong correlation between elevated FAM111B levels, advanced tumor grade, older patient age, and dramatically shorter survival times.
In laboratory experiments, boosting FAM111B in glioma cell lines (including SNB19 and U251) led to a marked increase in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast, silencing FAM111B suppressed these malignant behaviors—highlighting the protein’s direct influence on tumor aggression. Mouse models further confirmed these findings: tumors derived from FAM111B‑enhanced cells were notably larger and more invasive than their control counterparts.
Mechanistic investigations unveiled that FAM111B operates through the well‑known PI3K/AKT signaling pathway—a pathway already targeted by some existing cancer therapies. Specifically, overexpression of FAM111B increased phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, while inhibition reversed these effects. Moreover, applying PI3K inhibitors effectively neutralized the tumor‑promoting actions of FAM111B in vitro.
“This is the first study to link FAM111B to glioma, identifying it both as a novel biomarker and a potentially actionable therapeutic target,” says Dr. Du. The comprehensive study employed bioinformatics, cell‑based assays, and animal models to build a robust case—though the authors note that larger patient cohorts and multi‑center validation are needed to reinforce the findings.
While the PI3K/AKT pathway isn’t new to oncology, this discovery positions FAM111B as a compelling addition to the cancer biomarker landscape. Targeting FAM111B could refine precision therapies, helping to stratify high‑risk glioma patients and potentially enhance treatment efficacy.
