A – normal cell division, B – cancer cell division; 1 – apoptosis; 2 – damaged cell. From the National Cancer Institute. Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The results lay the foundation for researchers to plan a future phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of the therapy in a small group of patients
Results from a recent preclinical study have shown that a new drug combination therapy being developed at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center effectively killed colon, liver, lung, kidney, breast and brain cancer cells while having little effect on noncancerous cells. The results lay the foundation for researchers to plan a future phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of the therapy in a small group of patients.
“It is still too premature to estimate when a clinical trial will open to further test this drug combination therapy, but we are now in the planning phase and encouraged by the results of these laboratory experiments,” says Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., oncologist and member of the Developmental Therapeutics research program at VCU Massey Cancer Center and assistant professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care at VCU School of Medicine. “We are also encouraged by the fact that the drugs used in this therapy are either already approved by the FDA to treat certain cancers or are currently being investigated in other clinical trials.”
Featured in the journal Molecular Pharmacology, the study led by Paul Dent, Ph.D., demonstrated that the drugs sorafenib and regorafenib synergize with a class of drugs known as PI3K/AKT inhibitors to kill a variety of cancers. Sorafenib and regorafenib work by blocking the production of enzymes called kinases, which are vital to the growth and survival of cancer cells. Sorafenib is currently approved by the FDA to treat kidney and liver cancers, and regorafenib is currently approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, sorafenib and regorafenib do not directly affect PI3K and AKT kinases, which are also very active in promoting cancer cell survival. The addition of a PI3K/AKT inhibitor to the combination of sorafenib and regorafenib dramatically increased cell death and was even effective against cells with certain mutations that make one or the other drug less effective.
“We know that there are certain cellular processes that are frequently dysregulated in cancers and important to cell proliferation and survival, but if you shut down one, then cells can often compensate by relying on another,” says Dent, Universal Corporation Distinguished Professor for Cancer Cell Signaling and member of the Developmental Therapeutics research program at VCU Massey Cancer Center as well as vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at VCU School of Medicine. “We are blocking several of these survival pathways, and the cancer cells are literally digesting themselves in an effort to stay alive.”
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Drug combination therapy
- A guide to HIV: Top 10 facts, from prevention and treatment to a possible cure
The HIV pandemic isn’t going anywhere until a cure is found. In the meantime, these expert HIV clinicians say South Africa should protect its victories.
- 5 drugs to watch in late 2021
OptumRx, the pharmacy benefit manager unit of UnitedHealth Group, shared five investigational drugs to watch through the end of 2021 in its latest quarterly Drug Pipelines Insights Report. Below is a ...
- Global Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment Market Research Report 2021 - ResearchAndMarkets.com
The "Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Treatment (Radiation Therapy, Immunotherapy), By Drug Class, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - ...
- Successful treatment in mice for severe childhood cancer
In mice with high-risk neuroblastoma, tumors disappeared in response to a new combination treatment with precision medicines, a recent study from University of Gothenburg researchers shows. This is a ...
- Regeneron warns its antibody drug may be less potent versus omicron
While Regeneron is still testing its treatment against the new variant, the biotech is readying contingency plans, including second-generation versions of its drug.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Drug combination therapy
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Combination therapy
- First Patient Randomized in Phase 2 Trial for NSCLC Treatment Combination
The first patient was randomized in the phase 2 trial examining Tedopi and Opdivo for non-small cell lung cancer.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Updates at ACR 2021: Novel Agents and Combination Regimens
Systemic lupus erythematosus updates from ACR 2021 are discussed by Dr Joan Merrill, who reviews data on a novel agent, a post-hoc analysis of BLISS-LN, and late-breaking BLISS-BELIEVE results.
- Athletico Physical Therapy Opens in North Fort Worth-Timberland
Athletico Physical Therapy has opened a new location in Fort Worth, Texas, located in the Woodland Village Shopping Center next to Papa ...
- EC grants approval for Merck-Eisai’s combo therapy for endometrial cancer
The European Commission (EC) has granted approval for Merck (MSD) and Eisai’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in combination with Lenvima (lenvatinib) to treat adults with advanced or recurrent endometrial ...
- PharmaTher Granted New Japanese Patent for KETABET™ (Ketamine Combination Formulation), Strengthening Global Patent Portfolio
PharmaTher Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “PharmaTher”) (OTCQB: PHRRF) (CSE: PHRM), a clinical-stage psychedelics biotech company, is pleased to announce that the Japan Patent Office has issued ...
