Scientists at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have identified a protein as a key player in the development of treatment resistance in high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. In their research, published in Scientific Reports , the researchers detail how Claudin-4, a protein that is frequently elevated in HGSC, regulates genomic instability and enables tumor cells to avoid immune detection.

“Claudin-4 seems to help the tumor deal with these genetic changes, allowing it to survive, hide from the immune system, and avoid cell death,” said Fabian R. Villagomez, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences at UTEP.

The researchers focused their research on Claudin-4 because previous research has shown an association

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