Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. This growth arises from DNA mutations that disrupt normal cell regulation, leading to tumors. Tumors can be benign or malignant; benign tumors grow slowly and stay in the same area of the body while malignant tumors are dangerous due to their ability to spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis). Metastasis is life-threatening because it allows the disease to spread to vital organs, disrupting their function and ultimately leading to organ failure.
While there isn’t a cure for cancer yet, there are a number of treatments that can help. Chemotherapy is one example. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, a main characteristic of cancer. Chemotherapy is widely used and one of the best treatments; it is effective against many cancer types and can be used in combination with other therapies. However, it can also damage healthy cells, causing side effects like hair loss and nausea, leading scientists to seek more targeted treatments.
Cancer cells result from many mutations that damage their DNA and may cause them to have an abnormal appearance, as pictured above
Image Source: koto_feja
Recently, it seems scientists’ efforts have paid off, leading to a breakthrough: targeted radiation therapy for certain cancers. UCSF has developed an innovative drug targeting cancers with a specific mutation in the KRAS protein.
The KRAS gene plays a crucial role in cell signaling pathways that regulate cell growth and division. Mutations in KRAS are frequently found in lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. These mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division, contributing to tumor formation and progression. Drugs that detect and attach to KRAS create a marker called hapten on cancer cells, enabling the development of targeted treatments.
This new drug takes advantage of hapten markers by being designed to be inactive as it circulates throughout the body until it contacts marked cells. Once activated, it releases radiation onto cells to destroy them. This two-step process allows for precise delivery of radiation to cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The drug has already had significant results in preclinical studies with mice. When mice were given this drug, KRAS-mutated tumors were completely eradicated without significant side effects. Researchers are continuing to develop the drug and optimize its efficacy, given the variety of ways KRAS can be displayed in a cell. For example, advanced imaging techniques, like cryo-electron microscopy, have been used to understand the structure of the drug’s interaction with KRAS, which will help researchers develop improved versions that can target various forms of KRAS.
This research marks a significant step forward in cancer healthcare. While clinical trials are still necessary, this breakthrough in targeted radiation therapies is a strategy that offers new promise for many cancer patients.
Featured Image Source: Princess Turandot
