A recent study by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London suggests that prostate cancer patients diagnosed in advanced stages may benefit from a combination of existing breast and blood cancer medications. This innovative approach could potentially stop tumor growth in the prostate, offering hope to around 40% of individuals with late-stage prostate cancer.
Typically, the development and approval process for new cancer drugs can span a decade or more. While hormone therapy is commonly used to combat prostate cancer by reducing testosterone levels, which fuel cancer growth, some patients do not respond to this treatment, posing a challenge for researchers.
To address this issue, ICR scientists explored the potential of drugs already in development or used for treating other cancers. Dr. Adam Sharp, the leader of the Translational Therapeutics Group at the ICR, emphasized the urgency of finding new treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer, particularly after hormone therapies become ineffective.
The research focused on identifying drug combinations that target proteins promoting cancer cell survival, specifically MCL1 and AKT. In laboratory tests, inhibiting both proteins simultaneously led to prostate cancer cell death, with subsequent experiments in mice showing significant slowing of cancer growth.
Professor Kristian Helin, ICR chief executive, emphasized the importance of overcoming treatment resistance in cancer research. By repurposing existing drugs in innovative ways and identifying effective combinations, researchers aim to impede cancer progression and extend patients’ quality time with their families.
The study highlighted the success of using the blood cancer drug fadraciclib to indirectly target MCL1 and AKT with drugs like ipatasertib and capivasertib, showing promising results in triggering prostate cancer cell death. Notably, this approach was found to be particularly effective in prostate cancer cells with specific genetic characteristics, offering hope for improved outcomes in a significant portion of patients.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study offers a ray of hope for advanced prostate cancer patients, showcasing the potential of repurposing existing drugs to combat treatment resistance and enhance patient outcomes.