Indian team uses repurposed drug to treat oral cancer subtype

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

A novel fusion transcript in head and neck cancer identified by Mumbai-based researchers presents a promising therapeutic target.

Key Findings:

The fusion transcript discovered can be targeted by the FDA-approved deworming drug, pyrvinium pamoate, to treat head and neck cancer.
The study highlights the fusion transcript’s potential in altering cancer cell behavior and improving treatment approaches.

Fusion Transcript and Its Implications:

A fusion transcript occurs due to the structural rearrangement of chromosomes, leading to the creation of a chimeric gene. This study focused on the UBE3C-LRP5 fusion, resulting from translocation between chromosomes 11 and 7.
Found in 5.3% of the 151 Indian oral cancer patients screened and 1.2% of 502 Caucasian patients. With around 200,000 new oral cancer cases annually in India, this fusion transcript could be relevant for approximately 10,000-11,000 patients each year.
Impact: The UBE3C-LRP5 fusion activates the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, known for promoting cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. This discovery marks a significant advancement in understanding head and neck cancer.

Pyrvinium Pamoate as a Potential Treatment:

The drug targets the signaling pathway activated by the fusion transcript, significantly reducing cancer cell aggressiveness in laboratory studies and animal models.
Findings: Genetic studies by the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) team showed that blocking the pathway downstream of the fusion transcript curtailed cancer cell proliferation and invasive capabilities.
Future Prospects: With promising animal study results, clinical trials in oral cancer patients are planned, leveraging the drug’s established safety profile.

Significance of the research:

The identification of the UBE3C-LRP5 fusion transcript and its targeting by an existing FDA-approved drug offers a novel approach to treating head and neck cancer, potentially applicable to other cancer types as well.
The findings pave the way for new therapeutic strategies, emphasizing the importance of genetic research in advancing cancer treatment. The planned clinical trials will further elucidate the drug’s effectiveness in a clinical setting.

Source: TH