Components in Anti-Cancer Drugs Which Doesn't Destroy Healthy Cells Found

Scientists at University of
Geneva has identified a mix of four components in anti-cancer drugs that do not
damage healthy cells but at the same time attack cancerous cells. It is called
C2 and was found after analysing 200 combinations of differnt anti-tumour drugs
to reduce the doses.
The objective of the exercise
was to reduce the doses to avoid resistance of the cells and unwanted side
effects on healthy cells of patients according to Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska, a
professor in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland
and at UNIGE and in the university's Translational Research Centre in
Onco-Haematology (CRTOH).
The UNIGE researchers focused
on ten substances used to fight cancer, producing some 200 possible
combinations. “We used a method we developed in our laboratory to test these
different combinations simultaneously in vitro on a cancer cell and on a
healthy cell. The aim was to directly compare the effects of the treatment on
the two types of cells”, continues professor Nowak-Sliwinska. “We were able to
eliminate the formulas that didn’t destroy the diseased cells together with
those that also had an impact on the healthy cells.” Thanks to this
simultaneous validation technique, the UNIGE researchers identified the most
effective combinations with the fewest possible side effects on healthy cells,
with one in particular standing out: C2.
C2 – which consists of four
products (tubacin, CI-994, erlotinib and dasatinib) – is developing a new and
highly promising mechanism of action. “During our in vitro tests, we found that
C2 killed up to 20 times more cancer cells than other combinations, while
sparing healthy cells”, explains Patrick Meraldi, a professor in the Department
of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism in UNIGE’s Faculty of Medicine and at the
CRTOH. The special characteristic of C2 is that it targets the supernumerary
centrosomes that are only found in tumour cells. “Each cell is equipped with
two centrosomes, organelles that allow it to divide in two by each ‘pulling’ one
half of the cell”, explains professor Meraldi. As for the cancer cells, they
have more centrosomes that tug the cell in three or four directions during its
division, which leads to cell death. To prevent this, the cancer cells group
the centrosomes into two poles. “C2 blocks the grouping, causing a cell death
specific to the tumour cells with supernumerary centrosomes, while leaving the
healthy cells unharmed”, continues the Geneva-based researcher. There is a drug
currently on the market that also induces divisions in three or four
directions: Paclitaxel. But high doses are required, which causes numerous side
effects in patients. “That’s why we want to replace the use of Paclitaxel with
C2 or by a combination of both that would reduce the risk of resistance and
toxicity”, says professor Nowak-Sliwinska. To do this, the UNIGE researchers
have filed a patent for the C2 combination and are currently in the in vivo
test phase on mice so they can observe the effects of this new formula on the
entire body and not just on an isolated cell. A treatment of great promise is
on the horizon.
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