Target Discovered for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

The Discovery

A recent study from Kiel University identified RUVBL1 as a key player in the function of the tumor-causing protein MYC. MYC genes are responsible for the majority of cancer development in humans, making it an essential target for cancer treatment research. However, to date, no clinical applications of MYC inhibitors have been successful, due in part to the difficulty of directly targeting MYC.

Instead, recent research took an indirect approach through exploring the necessary binding partners of MYC to discover RUVBL1 played an essential role in cancer progression. The study demonstrated that the absence of RUVBL1 restricted tumor growth significantly in pancreatic cancer cells.

MyC-RUVBL1 Axis

The research emphasizes that RUVBL1 appears to be an indicator of the aggressiveness of the cancer. Tumors with a higher level of RUVBL1 are correlated with a more significant mortality rate.

However, the researchers also found that tumors with little MYC activity and little RUVBL1 activity indicate less aggressive cancer. This indicates the significance of the MYC-RUVBL1 axis relationship, which researchers aim to target with new drugs against pancreatic cancer.

UbiQancer and Cancer Treatment Research

The research and development of the fundamental new drugs for the treatment of cancer falls under the direction of Prof Elmar Wolf and the Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 387 “Functionalisation of the Ubiquitin System against Cancer—UbiQancer.” The focus of the research is protein ubiquitin and the processes associated with ubiquitin.

Ubiquitin is known for its ability to modify other target proteins in various ways, making it an attractive target for cancer treatment research. Researchers are hopeful that drugs targeting MYC-RUVBL1 can make pancreatic tumors suitable for immunotherapies, making them susceptible to treatment and increasing patient survival rates.

Conclusion

The discovery of the MYC-RUVBL1 axis’s significance has led to exciting developments in cancer research and new drug development. With extensive research already underway, the medical community can be optimistic about future pancreatic cancer treatments that target essential proteins like RUVBL1.

Long-tail keyword subheadings:

MYC genes and cancer development

Targeting MYC function to develop new treatments

Difficulty of targeting MYC

Indirect approach through MYC binding partners

RUVBL1’s essential role

RUVBL1 as an indicator of cancer aggressiveness

UbiQancer’s aim for fundamental new drugs

Ubiquitin’s attraction for drug development

Originally Post From https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-treatment-pancreatic-cancer.html

Target discovered for the treatment of pancreatic cancer