Breakthrough: Scientists Target Elusive Cancer Proteins
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer have developed a new way to target 'undruggable' proteins, opening the door to new treatments for prostate cancer. The new compounds bound up to a million times more tightly to the target protein than any previously reported.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Cancer have developed a new approach to target proteins that were previously considered 'undruggable'. These proteins, known as intrinsically disordered proteins, play a central role in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The new study focused on the androgen receptor, which fuels the growth of most prostate cancers. The researchers developed compounds that interact with the moving region of the protein, freezing it in an inactive state and preventing it from turning on genes that drive cancer growth. In animal studies, several compounds slowed prostate cancer growth more effectively than a commonly used prostate cancer treatment. The researchers now aim to advance the most promising candidates toward clinical trials.
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