Recent research published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine unveils a promising experimental molecule, SU212, that effectively inhibits an enzyme crucial to cancer growth. This discovery stems from studies utilizing a humanized mouse model that closely resembles human breast cancer.
According to Dr. Sanjay V. Malhotra, the senior author and co-director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, this advancement marks a significant leap in combating triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive variant for which current treatment options are limited.
The next phase involves transitioning SU212 towards human clinical trials, a process that necessitates substantial resources and regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Malhotra, who holds the Sheila Edwards-Lienhart Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at the OHSU School of Medicine, noted that the approach used with SU212 could also be adapted to target other cancer types.
Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for roughly 15% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
Targeting a Vital Enzyme in Cancer Metabolism
In their experiments, researchers focused on the enzyme enolase 1 (ENO1), which is produced in excessive amounts by many cancer cells and regulates glucose within cells. SU212 binds to ENO1, leading to its degradation, which in turn reduces tumor growth and metastasis in the tested mice.
Under normal circumstances, ENO1 aids in cellular metabolism by converting glucose into energy. By disrupting this function in cancer cells, SU212 targets a vital survival pathway for tumors.
Dr. Malhotra emphasized that this mechanism could be especially beneficial for patients with concurrent metabolic conditions, such as diabetes.
Broad Applications for Cancer Treatment
The research team suggests that targeting enolase 1 could extend beyond triple-negative breast cancer, potentially benefiting patients with glioma, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid carcinoma.
"A drug that inhibits enolase 1 may enhance treatment efficacy for these cancers as well," he remarked.
Dr. Malhotra joined OHSU in 2020 after his tenure at Stanford University, where he continued research on SU212, initially developed during his time at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
As co-director of OHSU's Center for Experimental Therapeutics, he collaborates with colleagues to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications that can directly impact patient care.
"We are committed to advancing significant scientific research for the benefit of patients," he stated.
This study received funding from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Aging, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the Department of Defense, and the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU, among others.
