New promising approach in cancer treatment involves a unique combination of drugs targeting oncogenic signaling to combat tumors.
A combination of two drugs was found to suppress tumors in a non-conventional manner by hyperactivating oncogenic signaling in cancer cells.
Instead of directly inhibiting tumor cell division, the new strategy induces stress in the cells, making them sensitive to specific drugs.
The study, published in Cancer Discovery, was led by Matheus Henrique Dias, a senior postdoctoral fellow at the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
The research shows that cancer cells under stress from hyperactivation of signaling pathways can be targeted by specific drugs to inhibit tumor growth.
This innovative approach showed promising results in colorectal cancer models and is being tested in other aggressive forms of cancer as well.
A new approach to treating cancer involves using a combination of two drugs that hyperactivate oncogenic signaling in tumor cells, causing them to become stressed. This stress makes the cells more susceptible to specific drugs that target cells in this state. Initial studies in colorectal cancer models have shown promising results, with tumor growth inhibited in treated animals. The drugs used in this strategy work by triggering replicative stress in tumor cells and inhibiting their multiplication in a novel way.
Researchers involved in this study, including Matheus Henrique Dias and Marcelo Santos da Silva, are now planning to test this combination drug strategy on other types of cancer, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. The results so far have been encouraging, leading to hope that this approach could be a viable option for cancer treatment in the future. Additionally, the principles used in this potential cancer treatment are being considered for applications in eliminating parasites that cause neglected tropical diseases, providing a promising avenue for further research and development.
