A new cancer drug could help block both tumor growth and the spread of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a study by researchers at Umeå University and international collaborators, published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
Researchers developed the new drug to stop cancer from spreading. According to Maréne Landström, who led the study, the team identified the mechanisms that drive cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.
Aggressive Prostate Cancer Spread
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men. While most cases progress slowly and are not life-threatening, some develop into aggressive forms that spread mainly to the lymph nodes and bones.
The team created a fully human antibody made entirely from human proteins, making it suitable for therapeutic use. In preclinical studies, it successfully blocked both tumor growth and metastasis in aggressive prostate cancer. The researchers say the treatment works through a new mechanism of action, which could also lower the risk of side effects.
The findings show that the treatment works as intended, representing a key milestone in the development of a potential new therapy for prostate cancer.
Further Steps Before Clinical Use
Landström described the results as encouraging but stressed that several steps remain before the drug can reach patients. The team must conduct additional safety studies, and regulatory authorities in Europe or the United States must approve the treatment before doctors can use it in clinical practice.
The main goal of this research is to improve survival outcomes and quality of life for men with advanced prostate cancer. The study, which has been carried out over several years, reflects the combined efforts of numerous researchers, organizations, and collaborators.
A key contribution came from drug development specialists at the SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development Platform, who helped create the antibody that forms the foundation of the treatment.
According to Landström, the next phase will explore whether the therapy could also be effective against other solid tumors. The researchers hope their findings will eventually lead to a new cancer treatment that can help patients.
Read the original article on: Medical Xpress
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