Myriad Genetics finds novel anti-cancer drug
A novel drug target for the treatment of a broad range of cancers has been discovered by Myriad Genetics, of Salt Lake City in the US.
It was discovered using Myriad's ProNet proteomics technology to investigate the protein interactions that lead to normal programmed cell death (apoptosis). Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated strong anti-cancer activity without harming normal human cell survival.
To test the selective ability of the compound to drive cancer cells into apoptosis, Myriad researchers used cell lines that are not responsive to current chemotherapy drugs. After the addition of MPI-176716, the percentage of cells killed increased in a dose-dependent manner, reaching 98% of prostate cancer cells and 99% of T cell lymphoma cells.
In addition, the scientists were able to block the activation of apoptosis by inhibiting a key enzymatic step in the pathway. In this case, the cancer cells survived following the addition of MPI-176716, demonstrating that the drug is not generally toxic to cells, but uses the cell's own biological mechanism to kill them.