Cancer is a serious and life-threatening disease, but recent advances in medical science have made it possible to combat it with immunotherapies and
Key Highlights :
The medication works by targeting a DNA segment known as 9p21, which is frequently deleted in tumors and occurs in 25-50% of various cancers such as melanoma, bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and several brain cancers. Research has shown that cancers with the 9p21 deletion have worse prognoses for patients and are more resistant to immunotherapies, as the deletion helps cancer cells avoid getting detected and wiped out by the immune system.
The 9p21 deletion leads to the loss of some key genes in cancer cells, which results in the cells growing unchecked and becoming cancerous. One of the genes produces an enzyme that breaks down a toxic compound called MTA, which impairs normal functioning of immune cells and also blocks the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The new medication developed by the scientists at The University of Texas at Austin lowers MTA back down to normal, allowing the immune system to come back on and fight the cancer.
The medication consists of a helpful enzyme that is naturally produced by the body to break down MTA and flexible polymers, which help it stay in circulation in the body for longer. In mice, the modified version was found to stay in circulation for days, while in humans it will last even longer. The scientists envision the drug being used in combination with immunotherapies to boost their effectiveness.
The findings of this study could be a game changer for many cancer patients, offering hope that immunotherapies can be used more effectively to fight cancer. It is yet another example of how medical science is advancing to help us combat this deadly disease.
