2023 LCRF Minority Career Development Award (CDA) in Lung Cancer
Luis Prieto, PhD
Mayo Clinic
Research Project:
Impact of senescent cells on lung tumorigenesis
Summary:
As we age, malignancies, specifically lung cancer, become more prevalent. Yet, the fundamental characteristics of aging that drive cancer development and response to therapy remain largely unknown. Dr. Prieto’s research goal focuses on building a holistic system biology approach to determine what factors that arise with advancing age support tumorigenesis and how we may target them to prevent, postpone, and suppress tumor growth. As an LCRF grantee, Dr. Prieto is working on integrating preclinical models of cancer and aging to investigate how naturally occurring senescent cells promote lung tumor formation.
1-year update: spring 2025
What he’s doing:
Dr. Prieto is exploring how aging tissue influences cancer development and metastasis by weakening the immune response and promoting cancer cell survival.
How it’s going:
Through studies in mice of various ages, Dr. Prieto’s team has observed that aged lung tissue creates an environment that supports tumor growth. Preliminary findings suggest a promising approach: drugs that eliminate older, or “senescent,” cells appear to reduce tumor burden, slow tumor spread and extend survival in aged mice with cancer.
What it could mean for patients:
Since the median age of lung cancer patients is 70, these discoveries could pave the way for innovative strategies in cancer prevention and treatment, offering new hope for the aging population most affected by this disease.