Breakthrough: New Drug Holds Promise in Halting Aggressive Breast Cancer Growth
Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Among the different types of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer is known to be the deadliest and most aggressive form. It accounts for up to 15 percent of all breast cancers and spreads rapidly, making it difficult to treat effectively. Currently, there are no targeted drug treatments available for this form of cancer, leaving patients with limited options such as intensive chemotherapy or cutting-edge immunotherapy. However, scientists in Australia may have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
A team of researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia has developed a new oral medicine called CDDD11-8, which shows promise in selectively targeting and killing cancerous cells within breast tissue. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, this new treatment approach specifically targets cancerous cells while leaving normal, healthy cells unharmed. Additionally, it also targets metastatic lesions that have spread to other parts of the body and are resistant to chemotherapy.
The development of CDDD11-8 is particularly significant because triple-negative breast cancer lacks targeted drug treatments. Patients often face a high risk of relapse within
five years, especially if the cancer spreads beyond the localized breast tissue. Currently, the five-year survival rate for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is only 12 percent. Therefore, finding new treatments that can halt the growth and spread of this aggressive form of cancer is urgently needed.
CDDD11-8 was initially developed to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer that affects the bone marrow. When tested on animal models of AML, the oral drug demonstrated excellent tumor growth inhibition and improved the survival of the animals. Building on this success, the researchers decided to explore the potential of CDDD11-8 in treating triple-negative breast cancers.
The drug works by targeting a protein called cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), which is involved in the rapid growth and spread of cancerous cells. Transcription, the process of copying genetic instructions into RNA molecules for protein production, is often dysregulated in cancer cells, enabling them to grow and spread quickly. Triple-negative breast cancer cells have a high abundance of transcription factors, making CDK9 an attractive target for therapy.
Initial experiments with CDDD11-8 on cell-line models of triple-negative breast cancer showed promising results. Researchers observed a reduction in cancer growth and an increase in cancer cell death with varying degrees of success depending on the dosage. The drug also displayed positive effects in living mouse models with breast cancer, causing tumor shrinkage and reduced protein expression without harming vital organs.
Importantly, CDDD11-8 also showed potential in patient-derived breast cancer tissue and three-dimensional organoids, demonstrating success without toxic side effects on healthy cells. This is because normal, healthy cells are not as dependent on CDK9 activity as cancerous cells.
While these findings are promising, further clinical evaluation is necessary before CDDD11-8 can progress to human trials. The researchers anticipate that this could happen within the next five years, offering hope for more effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
In conclusion, the development of CDDD11-8 represents a significant breakthrough in the battle against triple-negative breast cancer. This targeted oral medicine shows promise in halting the growth and spread of aggressive cancerous cells within breast tissue, providing a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy. Further research and development are needed to fully explore the effectiveness of CDDD11-8 and bring it closer to becoming a viable treatment option. The potential impact of this drug on improving survival rates and saving lives cannot be overstated.
Keywords: breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, targeted drug treatment, CDDD11-8, cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), cancer growth and spread, transcription dysregulation, tumor shrinkage, patient-derived breast cancer tissue, clinical evaluation, treatment options
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- Source: https://www.biotecnika.org/2024/02/new-drug-to-halt-breast-cancer/