Cancer drug in development stops the disease in its tracks

Medication targets a specific enzyme that fuels the spread of tumours
It does this by binding to the membrane of rapidly multiplying cells
This hijacks cancer’s ‘survival mechanism’ and prevents tumours from thriving
It is unclear when the drug, which is unnamed, may be available for patients
Around 357,000 people get diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK

By Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 17:00 GMT, 18 January 2018 | Updated: 17:28 GMT, 18 January 2018

A cancer drug is in development that could stop the disease in its tracks.

The unnamed medication targets a specific enzyme that fuels the spread of tumours, new research reveals.

It does this by binding to the membrane of rapidly multiplying cells, a European study found.

This hijacks cancer’s ‘survival mechanism’ and prevents tumours from attaching to the protein they need to thrive.

Around 357,000 people get diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK.

A cancer drug is in development that could stop the disease in its tracks (stock)

GUM DISEASE INCREASES WOMEN’S RISK OF BREAST CANCER BY UP TO THREE TIMES

Gum disease increases women’s risk of breast cancer up to three times, research from the University of Santa Maria in Brazil reveals.

This is thought to be due to the bacteria that causes inflammation in the mouth entering the circulation via the gums and going into breast tissue, which can result in cancer.

Speaking of the study’s findings, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said: ‘Interestingly, this research shows that there is evidence to support the theory that gum disease can have a much larger impact on the health of our whole body.’

Severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, can affect the bones in people’s jaws and cause teeth to fall out.

Previous research reveals up to 54 per cent of adults in the UK have gum disease to some extent.

Drug hijacks cancer’s survival mechanism

The anti-cancer drug binds to cancerous cells’ membrane protein, known as dehydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH).

The researchers analysed how fats, which are the building blocks of cell membranes, and drugs bind to DHODH.

Study author Dr Erik Marklund, from Uppsala University, said: ‘Our simulations show the enzyme uses a few lipids as anchors in the membrane.

‘When binding to these lipids, a small part of the enzyme folds into an adapter that allows the enzyme to lift its natural substrate [the substance an enzyme acts on] out of the membrane.

‘It seems the drug, since it binds in the same place, takes advantage of the same mechanism.’

Potential for more selective treatments

Study author Sir David Lane, from the Karolinska Institute, in Sweden, added: ‘The study helps to explain why some drugs bind differently to isolated proteins and proteins that are inside cells.

‘By studying the native structures and mechanisms for cancer targets, it may become possible to exploit their most distinct features to design new, more selective therapeutics.’

It is unclear when the drug could be available.

The findings were published in the journal Cell Chemical Biology.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk