UBC Researchers Pioneer New Approach to Targeting ‘Undruggable’ Cancer Proteins
Vancouver, BC – Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have announced a significant breakthrough in cancer research, developing a new strategy to target proteins previously considered “undruggable.” The research, focused on the androgen receptor, a key driver of most prostate cancers, offers a potential roadmap for treating not only prostate cancer but as well other diseases.
The Challenge of ‘Undruggable’ Proteins
Many proteins play a crucial role in disease development, but traditional drug discovery methods struggle to find compounds that can effectively bind to and alter their function. These are known as “undruggable” proteins. The androgen receptor, whereas a known target for prostate cancer treatment, presents this challenge because its flexible structure makes it difficult for drugs to latch on and inhibit its activity.
A New Approach: Targeting Protein Flexibility
The UBC research team, led by Dr. Marianne Sadar, professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, and Dr. Raymond Andersen, professor in the department of chemistry, has overcome this hurdle by focusing on the dynamic, moving regions of the androgen receptor. Instead of targeting the rigid binding sites, they developed compounds that interact with these flexible areas, effectively freezing the protein in an inactive state and preventing it from activating genes that promote cancer growth. UBC Science News reports this approach demonstrates up to a million-fold stronger binding than existing drugs.
Implications for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate cancer relies heavily on the androgen receptor to fuel its growth. Current treatments often target the rigid conclude of the receptor, but cancer cells can evolve to bypass these therapies. By targeting the flexible region, the UBC researchers’ compounds remain effective even when cancer cells develop resistance to traditional drugs. “If you think of the androgen receptor as being the engine that’s driving prostate cancer to grow, our drugs will bind to it, will attach onto it and stop that from occurring,” explained Dr. Sadar. CityNews Vancouver
Beyond Prostate Cancer
The implications of this research extend beyond prostate cancer. The strategy of targeting flexible protein regions could be applied to a wide range of diseases where previously “undruggable” proteins play a role. Dr. Sadar believes the findings “could have profound implications for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, providing a roadmap for the development of new treatments.” CityNews Vancouver
Key Takeaways
- Researchers at UBC have developed a new method for targeting proteins previously considered “undruggable.”
- The approach focuses on the flexible regions of the androgen receptor, a key driver of prostate cancer.
- These new compounds demonstrate significantly stronger binding than existing drugs and remain effective even when cancer cells develop resistance.
- This strategy has the potential to be applied to a wide range of diseases beyond prostate cancer.