A double agent to prevent tumors

Researchers at CNRS published a synthetic molecule that could prevent the growth of cancer cells and vascular formation around tumors.

Completed in 1998, the molecule HB - 19 may be a new discovery, as a therapy to fight cancer. In fact, a French research group has just demonstrated the effectiveness of this molecule compared to the bioactive solutions on the surface of cells.

Ara Hovanessian, a researcher at the Regulatory and Genetic Diseases Laboratory (CNRS, Paris Descartes University), said: 'Let a tumor grow. There must be two factors: cancer cells and blood vessels to feed them. That's what cells on the surface of cells make easily. To disable them, for the first time we introduced a molecule that works simultaneously under these two mechanisms. '

HB-19 bioassay (red) does not penetrate inside the cell nucleus (blue).(Photo: Hovanessian)

In fact, HB - 19 binds specifically to cell surfaces and disables them by attacking the cytoplasm, where they are self-healing. Researchers tested the effectiveness of this molecule in test tubes containing different types of cancer and also tested HB - 19 in vivo by implanting human tumors into the body. mouse.

Result: HB - 19 activity in the subcutaneous area or outside the abdomen significantly inhibits the growth of tumors. Also with this research direction in the remaining cases, cancer cells will be destroyed.

This is not entirely different from anticancer chemotherapy: 'HB - 19 does not penetrate inside the cell nucleus. Therefore, at the same time, it is a non-toxic molecule and a specific molecule, ' Hovanessian explained. These promising results will be published in early 2009 in PLoS ONE and will provide a link to the early clinical trial.

It's a molecule called 'NUCANT' (NUcléoline ANTagoniste), compared to HB - 19, it's five to ten times stronger, it will be tested. In this early period, product toxicity will be estimated and not only its effect.