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Research paves the way for breast cancer treatments
Scientists at Cambridge could be the key to “new and powerful approach” for treating breast cancer.
Discovery
Scientists at Cambridge’s Institute of Cancer Research UK research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the University of Cambridge have discovered how a molecule first discovered in the blocks of the bacteria in a protein that causes breast cancer to develop and disseminate.
Published in Nature Chemistry, the investigation revealed that at the molecular level, how thiostrepton – a naturally occurring molecule cancer protector – ‘clips’ a cancer-causing protein called FoxM1, preventing it from working.
FoxM1 is present in most cells in breast cancer.
It binds to specific DNA sequences – the change in genes that regulate growth and cell division. It also causes tumors to spread and cause the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors of nutrients for growth.
Blocking this protein may prevent the development of cancer at an early stage and block the growth and spread of cancer.
The design of drugs to stop FoxM1 protein as a major challenge for scientists. However, this new information will enable researchers to design small molecules that mimic thiostrepton – but are even more effective in blocking the cancer promoting effects of FoxM1.
Lead author Professor Shankar Balasubramanian, who is with the University Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, and Cambridge Research Institute Cancer Research UK, which is also based on the university, said: “Before this research we did not notice any natural product that could directly target a protein that controls gene activity.
“Interestingly, however, a molecule in bacteria – which also has strong antibiotic effect – does very well, turning off genes that cause cancer in breast cancer cells.
“This naturally occurring molecule does not have all the right properties to be used as a treatment for breast cancer.
“But this exciting discovery paves the way for designing more potent and selective drugs based on the structure of thiostrepton to block the FoxM1 protein.”
Dr. Lesley Walker, director of Cancer Research UK’s cancer information, said: “It is fascinating to discover how a single bacterium could be the key to powerful new approaches to treating breast cancer development and dissemination.”
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Scientists at Cambridge could be the key to “new and powerful approach” for treating breast cancer.
Discovery
Scientists at Cambridge’s Institute of Cancer Research UK research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the University of Cambridge have discovered how a molecule first discovered in the blocks of the bacteria in a protein that causes breast cancer to develop and disseminate.
Published in Nature Chemistry, the investigation revealed that at the molecular level, how thiostrepton – a naturally occurring molecule cancer protector – ‘clips’ a cancer-causing protein called FoxM1, preventing it from working.
FoxM1 is present in most cells in breast cancer.
It binds to specific DNA sequences – the change in genes that regulate growth and cell division. It also causes tumors to spread and cause the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors of nutrients for growth.
Blocking this protein may prevent the development of cancer at an early stage and block the growth and spread of cancer.
The design of drugs to stop FoxM1 protein as a major challenge for scientists. However, this new information will enable researchers to design small molecules that mimic thiostrepton – but are even more effective in blocking the cancer promoting effects of FoxM1.
Lead author Professor Shankar Balasubramanian, who is with the University Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, and Cambridge Research Institute Cancer Research UK, which is also based on the university, said: “Before this research we did not notice any natural product that could directly target a protein that controls gene activity.
“Interestingly, however, a molecule in bacteria – which also has strong antibiotic effect – does very well, turning off genes that cause cancer in breast cancer cells.
“This naturally occurring molecule does not have all the right properties to be used as a treatment for breast cancer.
“But this exciting discovery paves the way for designing more potent and selective drugs based on the structure of thiostrepton to block the FoxM1 protein.”
Dr. Lesley Walker, director of Cancer Research UK’s cancer information, said: “It is fascinating to discover how a single bacterium could be the key to powerful new approaches to treating breast cancer development and dissemination.”
