New research shows that PARG (poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase) plays a key role in gastric cancer growth by controlling the cell cycle through the protein p21 (CDKN1A). PARG is highly expressed in gastric cancer and linked to poor patient outcomes. Removing PARG in cancer cells causes genomic instability and cell cycle arrest, which slows tumor growth.
The study discovered that PARG regulates p21 by removing PAR chains, allowing p21 to be degraded. Without PARG, p21 remains stable, blocking the cell cycle and stopping cancer cell proliferation.
Researchers also found that Ginsenoside C-K, a compound from ginseng, works well with PARG loss. It increases p21 levels and triggers cancer cell death. In animal models, combining PARG inhibition with G C-K greatly reduced tumor growth without harming normal tissues. Targeting the PARG-p21 pathway could become a new treatment approach for advanced gastric cancer.