Killing Cancer Cells

About

Overview Selectively killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue remains a chief challenge in oncology. Although the scientific literature suggests that targeting dual-specificity mitogen activated protein kinase phosphatases (DUSP-MKPs) may provide this much-sought specificity, looming toxicity concerns have stymied progress. To combat these fears, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh identified a small molecule DUSP-MKP-inhibitor, called BCI-215, that selectively affects the survival of tumor cells without conferring general toxicity to the surrounding tissue. It does so in part through a novel mechanism that turns the patient’s own immune system against the invading cancer.   Mechanistically, BCI-215 targets cell signalling pathways specific to cancer. In human breast cancer cells, BCI-215 hampered survival by inhibiting cell movement, causing programmed cell death, and sensitizing cells to immune system killer cells. Healthy human liver cells suffered none of these ill effects from the drug when tested in cell culture.   Advantages Selectively kills cancer cells while being generally non-toxic Non-necrotizing property avoids the complication of tumor lysis syndrome and resultant inactivation of immune cells   Applications Treating breast cancer and potentially other types Boosting immune responses in aging or otherwise immune-suppressed patients   Stage of Development In vitro data   IP Status US patent 9,439,877 US patent 9,127,016 Provisional US patent in prosecution   In cancer cells, BCI-215 leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis) without toxic by-products (necrosis), J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2017; 361(1):39-50.