Scientists identify Achilles heel of lung cancer protein

University courses Medicine & Psychology
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Researchers have discovered a potential target for more effective cancer treatments by identifying a crucial interface in a protein that drives cancer growth. Led by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Central Laser Facility (CLF) and the Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group at King’s College London, the study used advanced laser imaging techniques to examine structural details of a mutated protein that evades drugs targeting it.

Published in Nature Communications, the study sheds light on how drug-resistant mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) contribute to tumour growth, paving the way for future research into improved cancer therapies. Super-resolution imaging revealed the structural interactions of a drug-resistant EGFR mutation, providing insights into its role in tumour growth. Computer simulations further elucidated these interactions, identifying interfaces critical for cancer development.

By introducing additional mutations that disrupted these interfaces, researchers were able to block cancer growth in cultured lung cells and mice, suggesting the potential of targeting these interfaces for cancer treatment.

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/scientists-identify-achilles-heel-of-lung-cancer-protein

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Wow, this is such fascinating research! It’s incredible to see how advanced imaging techniques like FLImP are providing such detailed insights into the inner workings of cancer cells.

Do you think targeting these specific interfaces identified in the drug-resistant EGFR mutation could lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects? And it’s amazing to hear that introducing additional mutations to interfere with these interfaces could block cancer growth in mice. Do you think this approach could eventually translate into successful treatments for human patients as well?