A potential target for experimental drugs that block PRMT5 – a natural enzyme on which certain tumors are based more for survival – has been identified by researchers with the Research Cancer Research Institute in Washington,
In a study published this month in Cancer researchDeputy Professor Kathleen Mulvaney, of the Virginia Tech biomedical research institute, shared research that could help guide the development of new therapies for certain pulmonary, brain and pancreatic treatment resistant treatment.
“Using genetic screening, we found a new combination of drugs that apparently work. »»
Kathleen Mulvaney, professeur adjoint, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech
New therapies are necessary. Lung cancer is a main death of cancer in the world. The five -year survival rate is less than 15% for patients with pancreatic cancer, and even lower for glioblastoma.
“With a drug alone, tumors can become resistant very quickly,” said Mulvaney, who is a member of the Research Center for the Research Institute in Washington, DC treatment often fails. The results suggest that the PRMT5 inhibitor could be a new powerful approach to certain cancers that are difficult to treat. “In any case, the combination is better to kill than unique agents. »»
Many of these solid tumors share a genetic line: they lack CDKN2A and MTAP, two genes that remove tumors and help regulate cell growth. Without them, cancers become dependent on PRMT5 and potentially vulnerable to drugs that block the enzyme.
Mulvaney and his colleagues analyzed the genetic data of thousands of cancer patients available via the Cbioportal.
They applied CRISPR publishing tools to examine biological paths through a range of samples to determine which genes make cancer cells more vulnerable to PRMT5 inhibitors and which combinations could improve the response and long -term results.
According to Mulvaney, which also holds 5% of all cancer patients-around 80,000 to 100,000 per year in the United States-can benefit from the therapies identified.
Using PRMT5 inhibitors with drugs that block a communication system that indicates cancer cells when developing, dividing or closing – known as Kinase MAP – Scientists have identified potential treatments for clinical trials.
“We have also discovered a number of genes that interact with the PRMT5 signaling in cancer that were not previously known,” said Mulvaney.
In addition to lung, brain and pancreas cancers, treatment is promising for certain types of melanoma and mesothelioma.
In animal models and cellular cultures derived from the patient’s tissues, the members of the laboratory had success after having tested potential therapies.
“In any case, the combination is better to kill cancer cells than unique agents,” said Mulvaney. “Only the combinations have led to complete regressions. »»
