It has been previously demonstrated that the WNT gene/protein family member WNT5A is down-regulated in leukemia, and low expression of this tumor suppressor has been correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis. In a recent study, researchers from Universidade Estadual de Campina aimed to assess the role of WNT5A in leukemia and evaluate the effects of Foxy-5, (Wntresearch AB) a WNT5A-mimicking compound, on the progression of this disease.
Researchers have long known that the developmental regulator WNT5A plays a role in the dissemination of tumor cells. Now, investigators from Johns Hopkins University have discovered that its suppression plays a role in the growth of metastases after a period of dormancy as well.