A groundbreaking discovery in the fight against breast cancer has emerged from Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers there have developed a molecule, SU212, that shows promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that has been notoriously difficult to treat.
But here's where it gets controversial: this new molecule targets an enzyme called enolase 1 (ENO1), which is overexpressed in cancer cells and plays a critical role in cancer progression. By binding to ENO1, SU212 induces its degradation, leading to suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in humanized mouse models.
Dr. Sanjay V. Malhotra, co-director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics at OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute and the lead author of the study, emphasizes the significance of this discovery. "Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of cancer with limited treatment options. Our research offers a new avenue to explore, and we're excited about the potential impact it could have on patient care."
The next step is to advance SU212 towards clinical trials, a process that requires substantial resources and FDA approval. Malhotra and his team are dedicated to translating their lab discoveries into real-world treatments as quickly as possible.
"We want to ensure that our research benefits people as soon as possible," Malhotra said. "That's why we came to OHSU, to bridge the gap between the lab and the clinic."
And this is the part most people miss: SU212's potential extends beyond triple-negative breast cancer. Malhotra believes it could also be effective against other cancers influenced by enolase 1, such as glioma, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid carcinoma.
"A drug that targets enolase 1 could revolutionize the treatment of these cancers as well," he added.
Malhotra's journey to OHSU is an inspiring one. He joined the university in 2020, bringing with him the expertise and knowledge gained during his time at Stanford University and the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
As co-director of OHSU's Center for Experimental Therapeutics, Malhotra and his colleagues are committed to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and translating them into patient care.
"There's incredible science happening here, and we're determined to make a difference in people's lives," Malhotra concluded.
The study, "Non-orthosteric Inhibition of Enolase 1 Impedes Growth of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer," was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, highlighting the significance of this research in the medical community.
