Researchers at Northwestern University in the United States have developed a synthetic polymer that can destroy dangerous cancer-causing proteins.
According to research published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers led by Professor Nathan Gianneschi developed polymers called “HYDRAx” that target specific proteins present in the body and eliminate them.
In this research, scientists targeted two proteins that cause several types of cancer: MYC and KRAS.
Why are these proteins special?
The MYC protein causes many types of cancer, but its structure is disordered, which makes it extremely difficult to target. On the other hand, the structure and smooth surface of KRAS also make it a difficult target for medicines.
Professor Gianneschi says that “MYC is a complex protein that normally exists in our cells and our tissues do not have a problem with it. The real problem lies with us humans in understanding this disordered structure.”
How does this system work?
Researchers attached special peptides to the polymer that grasp the target proteins like fingers. After that, these polymers activate the degradation system present inside the cell, which destroys these proteins.
Professor Gianneschi acknowledges that this research is still in the early stages and it will take time to turn it into a practical treatment. However, last year he established a company called Grove Biopharma that is working to further improve this technology and convert it into a treatment.
