Cancer research is a rapidly expanding area, with scientists constantly developing novel methods to target cancer cells and improve cancer treatments. Drugs that directly target substances or processes involved in cancer growth and progression are known as targeted treatments. These treatments try to interfere with the signaling pathways that support cancer cell survival and growth.
The University of Arizona Cancer Center researchers discovered a new approach of activating specific molecules to target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
In their recent study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Wei Wang, Ph.D., and his team developed a new strategy called click-release proteolysis targeting chimeras, or crPROTACs, that allows for the activation and release of PROTACs only in cancer cells.
The studies open a new way to deliver anti-cancer drugs to cancer cells. We are exploring the technology for the treatment of more challenging senescent cancer cells and other diseases.
Wei Wang
“The studies open a new way to deliver anti-cancer drugs to cancer cells,” Wang said. “We are exploring the technology for the treatment of more challenging senescent cancer cells and other diseases.”
Precision medicine entails personalizing cancer treatments to an individual’s unique genetic and molecular profile. This enables more personalized and successful treatment programs. Researchers are investigating the use of gene editing technologies such as CRISPR to target and modify cancer-related genes, which could lead to new therapy options.
Nanoparticles and nanotechnology are being used to deliver medications directly to cancer cells, decreasing side effects and enhancing drug effectiveness. AI and machine learning are being used to evaluate enormous quantities of cancer-related information, such as genomics and medical imaging, in order to find novel patterns and potential treatments.
PROTACs are chemicals developed by scientists that break down certain proteins in the body. They are presently being investigated as a possible cancer treatment; however, one of the issues is that they might be detrimental to healthy cells owing to uncontrolled protein breakdown.
Wang’s study focuses on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, which generally directs proteins for breakdown and recycling in the human system. Wang’s technique use the route to specifically target cells at tumor locations, reducing medication activation and adverse effects. The crPROTAC method successfully destroyed proteins of interest in cancer cells, according to the researchers.
“Unlike many other drug delivery strategies, this approach will be very precise in targeting just the tumor,” Wang said.
