PCSK9 Protein Influences Pancreatic Cancer‍ Metastasis,Cholesterol Uptake

Updated June 04,2025
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pancreatic cancer cells’ ability to spread,or metastasis,to other organs is ⁣resolute by a protein known as PCSK9,according to ‍research from UC San ⁤Francisco. The study, published in Nature, sheds light on how these cells thrive in diverse environments like the lungs and liver, possibly paving the way for new pancreatic cancer therapies.

The research team analyzed data from the Broad‍ Institute’s⁣ MetMap project,identifying pancreatic cancer cell lines that preferentially colonize either the lung or the liver.By examining genomic⁣ differences, ‍they discovered that PCSK9 ⁢regulates how cells acquire cholesterol.

Low PCSK9 levels prompt cancer cells to ‍absorb cholesterol⁢ from their surroundings, an advantage⁣ in⁣ the cholesterol-rich liver. Conversely, high PCSK9 levels enable cells to produce their own cholesterol and generate protective molecules against oxygen damage, facilitating survival in the⁤ lungs.

Experiments showed that forcing⁣ liver-destined pancreatic cancer cells to express PCSK9 redirected them to the lungs.

“cancers persist ⁤by adapting to live in‍ new tissues and organs,‍ and we found that pancreatic tumors use PCSK9 to adapt as they spread,” said Rushika Perera,⁢ PhD, the Deborah Cowan Endowed Associate Professor of Anatomy at UCSF and senior author of the paper. “It opens the door to fighting⁤ metastatic cancer growth by manipulating how cells⁤ acquire their cholesterol.”

What’s next

The‍ findings suggest that targeting PCSK9 could disrupt the metastatic process,offering a‍ novel⁢ approach to treating pancreatic cancer ⁣and improving⁢ patient outcomes.