New Drug, MI-219, Effective for Cancer
The study, lead by Shaomeng Wang, Ph.D., Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor in Medicine, shows that a new cancer drug that is capable of activating a protein that kill cancer cells has been discovered. This protein is known in the science world as p53. Wang says that this new drug can effectively kill cancer cells without killing normal non-cancerous cells.
The new drug was designed using a computer-assisted approach. Researchers were able to develop a small molecule called MI-219 that is highly effective in blocking the interaction between p53 and another protein called MDM2. When p53 interacts with MDM2 it loses its ability to inhibit cancer cells. Then cancer cells will grow and develop without any limit.
The new drug, MI-219, gets between MDM2 and p53 and does not allow that interaction to occur. This way p53 retains its inhibition power and retains its efficacy in killing cancer cells. In experiences with animal models of human cancer, the drug MI-219 has inhibited tumor growth and has produced no toxicity.
According to Wang's study, other drugs also activate p53 but they do it with a negative side effect: the damage the DNA molecule. They kill cancer cells as well regular non-cancerous cells. With MI-219 this does not happen since its effect is indirect through the inhibition of another procedure that intervenes in the process of tumor growth. MI-219 does not cause DNA damage.
The study also says that MI-219 is not ready for human trials in cancer patients. It was only tested in animal systems where it was effective at preventing tumor growth and did not have negative adverse events. Clinical trails are set to start soon according to Wang's study.
The drug MI-219 has a small size so it is ideal to be manufactured as a pill so the patient can take it orally. This represents another advantage over traditional drugs. Also, the study mentioned that this new drug could be used for a variety of cancer although it needs to be tested in humans to fully appreciate its potential
Being cancer one of the main causes of death worldwide it is always good news to find compounds that have therapeutics properties. Also, it is comforting that dedicated scientist are always looking for promising new drugs to treat cancer.
Source:
Wang et al. 2008. URL: Temporal activation of p53 by a specific MDM2 inhibitor is selectively toxic to tumors and leads to complete tumor growth inhibition. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 10.1073/pnas.0708917105. URL: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0708917105v1
Published by R. Bourne, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Food and Nutrition. MBA. R. Bourne writes mainly about Health and Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Healing, Nutrition, Dieting and Food Science and Technology. He has been writing online content... View profile
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