ISLAMABAD, FEB 02 (ONLINE): The global burden of cancer is continuing to grow, according to the World Health Organization\u2019s International Agency for Research on CancerTrusted Source.
\nResearchers predict more than 35 million new cancer cases by 2050, marking a 77% increase from an estimated 20 million cases in 2022.
\nWith growing numbers and currently no cure for any cancer, scientists continue to explore new ways to both prevent and treat cancer.<\/p>\n
Recently, researchers from the University of California, Riverside have found a new way to change the physical properties of a specific protein known to be the culprit in about 75% of all human cancer casesTrusted Source.
\nScientists hope this new research, recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, could lead to the development of new cancer treatments.
\nMYC protein causes cancer to spread
\nFor this study, researchers focused on a specific protein called MYCTrusted Source.<\/p>\n
MYC is a transcription factorTrusted Source, which means it helps regulate the rate of copying genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA into healthy cells.
\nWith cancer cells, MYC becomes hyperactive and ultimately helps cancer tumors growTrusted Source.
\nBecause of its involvement with cancer, previous studiesTrusted Source have examined MYC as a potential treatment target.
\n\u201cFrom a chemistry point of view, MYC is just really fascinating because it lacks a stable structure,\u201d senior study author Dr. Min Xue, associate professor of pharmacological sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a glob of randomness, but somehow it carries out critical biological functions in a well-regulated manner. This intricate play between order and disorder is what attracts me the most. Plus, it is a very promising drug target, that\u2019s a bonus,\u201d he added.
\n\u201cCancer cells are hyperactive, and they replicate themselves without supervision. You can think of them as a mass-production pipeline of biomolecules. All these production processes are based on some blueprint, which is DNA. MYC facilitates access to that blueprint information, enabling a constant supply of building blocks for uncontrolled growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dr. Min Xue, study co-author
\nAltering MYC protein in cancer cells
\nDr. Xue and his team wanted to find a way to suppress the activity of MYC in cancer cells.
\nIn a previous study, the researchers identified a peptide compound that can bind to MYC and dampen its actions.
\nIn this study, scientists explored a new peptide capable of creating a strong bond directly to MYC.
\n\u201cWe designed a \u2018bicyclic peptide,\u2019 which has a 3D binding surface and can be considered as a miniature version of a protein,\u201d Dr. Xue detailed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can bind to MYC and change MYC\u2019s physical properties, preventing it from accessing the information in the DNA.\u201d
\n\u201cBecause MYC is essential in fueling a wide collection of cancers, an effective MYC inhibitor may help us treat those cancers,\u201d he continued.
\n\u201cAn added bonus is that these cancer cells are more addicted to the high level of MYC activities, way above the normal cells, and this property can help create cancer therapeutics with fewer side effects.\u201d
\nNo \u2018silver bullet\u2019 treatment for cancer
\nResearchers delivered the peptide through small spheres of fatty molecules called lipid nanoparticles. However, they plan to explore other options.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur current peptide cannot get into the cancer cells by itself. It needs some help from carriers, much like the lipid nanoparticles used in the COVID mRNA vaccines,\u201d Dr. Xue said.
\n\u201cThis is not very convenient for a drug. We are exploring other ways to make the peptide enter the cells autonomously.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are also working on improving the potency of the peptide,\u201d he added. \u201cThe current version is not strong enough for a drug. But I think we are off to a very good start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Factors such as these are why researchers continue to look for new ways to treat and prevent cancer.
\n\u201cCancer is not \u2018a disease\u2019 \u2014 it\u2019s a collection of diseases,\u201d Dr. Xue said.
\n\u201cEach cancer has its own characteristics, and even the same type of cancer can manifest differently among patients. Currently, there is no \u2018silver bullet\u2019 for all cancers, therefore, we, the researchers, need to continually look for ways to treat cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suppressing MYC could lead to new cancer treatments
\nMNT also spoke about this study with Dr. Wael Harb, a board certified hematologist and medical oncologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers in Orange County, CA.
\nDr. Harb said his initial reaction to this research was cautious optimism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe MYC has always been a highly sought target because it\u2019s involved in a lot of cancer progression and aggressiveness, but is mostly always considered one of these unbeatable targets because of its shape,\u201d he explained.
\n\u201cSo to develop a peptide that can inhibit MYC is definitely exciting. It\u2019s opened the door for potential new therapeutics that can help with these aggressive cancers.\u201d
\n\u201cThere are several cancers known to activate MYC and (are) especially difficult to treat, like aggressive breast cancer, some [forms of] lung cancer, and a certain type of lymphoma called Burkitt\u2019s lymphoma,\u201d Dr. Harb continued. \u201cThese would be the highest priority to develop a drug that can block MYC and stop the growth of these tumors.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the next steps in this research, Dr. Harb said he would like to see this performed in preclinical models in animal studies and then hopefully advanced to human trials.
\n\u201cWe would really (look) forward to (seeing) this introduced to human trials where we can start testing this in patients with aggressive cancer and get a better understanding of the safety and efficacy. And then after we have proven this in advanced tumors, we will start looking at other tumors in earlier stages of cancer.\u201d
\n\u2014 Dr. Wael Harb, hematologist and medical oncologist<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, FEB 02 (ONLINE): The global burden of cancer is continuing to grow, according to the World Health Organization\u2019s International Agency for Research on CancerTrusted Source. Researchers predict more than 35 million new cancer cases by 2050, marking a 77% increase from an estimated 20 […]<\/p>\n
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