A drug’s journey doesn’t end at reaching a tumor. Cancer cells carry biological instructions that help them grow, withstand treatment, and recur. This patent explores a different approach: instead of creating another conventional cancer-killing drug, could scientists silence one of these instructions? Researchers from Macau University of Science and Technology and Zhejiang University developed small RNA molecules aimed at inhibiting TAX1BP1, a gene linked to cancer cell survival. They use RNA interference, introducing short RNA sequences into cells to lower the expression of specific genes. The team screened various RNA candidates and tested their effects across multiple cancer models. Results showed that reducing TAX1BP1 could hinder growth in several cancer types, including breast, liver, colorectal, and lung cancers. Notably, it affected Taxol-resistant cancer cells, those less responsive to a common chemotherapy drug. The research progressed beyond cell experiments: in mice with Taxol-resistant colorectal tumors, treatment with a TAX1BP1-targeting RNA reduced tumor growth. Figure 7 on page 15 illustrates tumor volume and body weight changes during the study. While these findings are preclinical and not yet proven in patients, they suggest a new approach: instead of attacking cancer harder when it resists, future treatments might aim to switch off the molecular signals that enable cancer’s survival.
What if medicine could disable one of cancer’s survival signals?
Patent number: 11 149 271 B2
Inventor(s): Z.-H. Jiang, T.-M. Yan, and K.-Y. Cao
Citation: Z.-H. Jiang, T.-M. Yan, and K.-Y. Cao, “Method and pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer,” U.S. Patent 11 149 271 B2, Oct. 19, 2021.
