A new drug is capable of restricting growth of cancer cells and therefore killing them. Scientists from the USC Michelson Centre for Convergent Biosciences and Nagoya University’s Institute of Transformative BioMolecules cite in a study. Proven results on human cancer cells and mice with acute myeloid leukemia suggest the drug has potential.
The Drug Disturbs 24-hour-Cycle of Cancer Cell to Restrict Growth
Incomplete sleep disturbs your body functions. Therefore, it affects your cell’s metabolism rates and other routine functions. If you consistently sleep less you are disturbing your body’s health. The same principle applies on cancer cells too.
Scientists use a molecule GO289 that targets a particular enzyme responsible for circadian rhythm (24-hour-cycle). This impacts the functions of four other proteins important for cell growth and survival. The study also shows that the drug’s effect has little impact on healthy cells. Thus, increasing the significance of the drug.
Researchers first ran tests on human bone cancer cells. Results show that the drug targets an enzyme CK2 responsible for the tumor cell’s circadian clock. Further, experiments on human kidney cancer cells and mice with acute myeloid leukemia showed positive results. Thus, scientists conclude that GO289 affects cancer cells metabolism and disturbs its circadian rhythm.
Moreover, the research team feels the molecule can also potentially restrict growth of other cancer cells. If successful, the drug will have massive impact on healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
