Stop metastases

The new method will stop the spread of cells of four types of cancer

Natalia Pelezneva, Naked Science

American researchers have developed a compound that allows you to "immobilize" cancer cells, preventing them from moving in the patient's body. The method proved effective for four types of diseases: breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer. The description of the development is published in the journal Nature Communications.

The chances of a cure for many types of cancer are rapidly falling when the affected cells begin to migrate from the primary focus of the disease to other areas of the body. As a result, metastases occur — secondary foci of the disease. Most often they form in the lymph nodes, liver and lungs. According to scientists, the new method will stop the movement of cells without releasing them beyond the original focus of the disease. This will increase the likelihood of a cure using existing methods.

The new compound KBU2046 is a derivative of the isoflavone genistein, which is found in soy, garden beans and coffee. Previously, with the help of genistein, it was possible to stop the formation of metastases in mice with prostate tumors. Despite this, it is impossible to use genistein itself in cancer therapy in humans: the substance affects many processes in the body, therefore it can cause dangerous side effects.

The researchers synthesized several structural modifications of genistein and tested how these substances interact with tumor cells. KBU2046 "immobilizes" cancer cells by blocking phosphorylation of the HSP90ß protein, which belongs to the class of heat shock proteins: their expression increases with increasing temperature or under other stressful conditions. KBU2046 was recognized as the most effective of the studied compounds — it caused a minimum of side effects and did not bind to estrogen receptors (this could provoke undesirable reactions in breast cancer). In in vitro studies, the substance prevented the movement of cells of four common types of cancer.

The technique has already been tested on mice with several types of tumors. KBU2046 successfully blocked the appearance of metastases, slowed down the destruction of bone tissue and increased the life span of animals.

Demonstration of how KBU2046 suppresses bone destruction compared to the control group. A snapshot from an article in Nature Communications – VM.

Human trials have not been conducted yet. According to the creators of the technology, such a study will take at least two years.

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