- Advanced bladder cancers are difficult to treat and have poor outcomes
- A protein derived from the malarial parasite appears to be effective in delivering lethal compounds to invasive bladder cancer and improving outcomes
- Further research could result in the development of treatment that can be used in patients who do not respond to the current chemotherapy
The malaria parasite-derived protein was tagged with hemiasterlin toxin analogs derived from a marine sponge which has been shown to be effective against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and metastatic breast cancer cells.
The research team studied the effect of the malaria protein – drug combo in mice, whose bladders were implanted with highly aggressive cancers that were resistant to treatment with cisplatin. They also tested the effect of the treatment on bladder cancer cells in the laboratory.
Study Findings
The researchers found that:
- The malaria-drug protein was effective against cancer cells in vitro the laboratory
- The cancers in mice responded well to the treatment
- Seventy days following treatment, the survival rate among those who received the treatment was 80%, in contrast to the control groups where the survival rate was zero
Bladder cancer, often a consequence of smoking, is more common in males as compared to females. Early bladder cancer shows good response to treatment. Patients with late stages like muscle invasive bladder cancer, however, may not be so fortunate.
References:
- Seiler R et al. An Oncofetal Glycosaminoglycan Modification Provides Therapeutic Access to Cisplatin-resistant Bladder Cancer. European Urology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2017.03.021
- Bladder Cancer - (https://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder)