Previously 'undruggable target' can now be targeted, a novel peptide drug called FFW generally related to tumor growth can stop the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or primary liver cancer in patients, finds a new study. The findings of this study are published in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This landmark discovery opens the door for more effective treatment of liver cancer with fewer side effects.
‘Currently, Sorafenib is the only first-line treatment for HCC which can prolong the patient's survival by three months, the lack of effective treatment alternatives has made HCC a leading cause of cancer. New peptide drug landmark discovery can open doors for more effective treatment of liver cancer with fewer side effects.
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The international team comprises researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School, the Department of Biological Sciences under the NUS Faculty of Science, as well as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.HCC is a fast-growing cancer of the liver, and patients typically survive 11 months after diagnosis. HCC accounts for over 90 percent of all liver cancers and poses a significant public health problem in the Asia Pacific region. The main first-line treatment for HCC is the drug Sorafenib, which has adverse side effects and prolongs survival for only three months. The lack of effective treatment alternatives, coupled with late discovery, has led to HCC becoming the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.
SALL4 - a protein related to tumor growth - has been widely studied as a prognosis marker and drug target for HCC and other cancers such as lung cancer and leukemia. It is usually present in the growing fetus but is inactive in adult tissue. In some types of cancer, such as HCC, SALL4 is reactivated, leading to the growth of tumors. However, SALL4 has previously been classified as an 'undruggable target.'
Novel Peptide with Robust Anti-tumour Properties
Drug molecules which act on protein interactions like SALL4-NuRD often require the target proteins to have a small 'pocket' in their 3D structure where the drug molecule can reside and take effect.
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He added, "This exciting discovery has important implications for treatment of HCC. Our work could also be beneficial to a broad range of solid cancers and leukemic malignancies with elevated SALL4."
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While most targeted therapies are small-molecule drugs, a well-designed peptide drug - such as FFW - tends to possess higher selectivity over large binding surfaces with a safer toxicity profile compared with small molecules.
Dr Liu Bee Hui, Research Fellow at CSI Singapore, said, "Based on the information we gained from structural and global gene expression, we are continuing our work on this peptide and other peptides with similar structures, with the aim of eventually being able to make them into clinical grade drugs for the benefit of patients."
New Approach In Cancer Therapeutics
The targeting of the SALL4-NuRD interaction as a cancer-cell-specific target represents an exciting avenue for development of therapeutic options. "An ideal cancer target should be cancer-specific and non-toxic to normal tissues. To this end, we are collaborating to find a missing link that can cure cancer and restore normal cell function," explained Associate Professor Li Chai from Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School.
The research team utilized a creative and innovative integrated approach, combined with structural analysis techniques, to act on protein interactions like SALL4-NuRD. The collaborative effort led to the design of the peptide FFW, which is a small chain of amino acids that can interfere with SALL4-NuRD interactions. FFW could effectively block the huge protein-protein interaction surface and does not require a 'pocket' to take effect.
"In our latest work, the research team has also demonstrated an effective strategy to accurately target oncogenes previously considered undruggable. Moving forward, we hope to investigate how the targeting of these protein interactions might pan out in other cancer types," Prof Tenen said.
Source-Eurekalert