Discovered 'panacea' can wipe out cervical cancer

Manzamine A, a natural product derived from certain groups of sponges, is thought to prevent the growth of cervical cancer cells.

The researchers say Manzamine A targets a protein that is highly expressed in many cancers, including cervical cancer and is the first reported inhibitor related to this protein.

According to a publication in the Journal of Natural Products by researchers at South Carolina Medical University (MUSC) with students and investigators at the University of South Carolina (UofSC), University of Charleston, Gadjah University Mada in Indonesia and Malaya University in Malaysia, found a sponge in Manado Bay, Indonesia, creating a molecule called manzamine A very special.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 13,800 new diagnoses of cervical cancer and 4,290 deaths by 2020. Despite Pap tests (cervical screening tests) and vaccinations- Asking for HPV reduces the number of cervical cancer deaths, but cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer in women.

Manzamine A prevents cervical cancer cells from growing and causing some cells to die.

MUSC-UofSC's study examined the anti-growth and anti-cancer effects of manzamine A in four different cervical cancer cell lines. Manzamine A prevented cervical cancer cells from growing and caused some to die but did not have the same effect on normal non-cancerous cells.

Dr Mark T. Hamann said: "This is an extremely exciting new discovery for a previous molecule that shows significant potential for malaria control and has drug-like properties. naturally has led to the development of most antibiotics and anti-cancer therapies and many pain control measures. "

In previous research, Hamann's team determined that spongy compounds were effective against melanoma as well as prostate and pancreatic cancer. Manzamine A is also effective against the parasite that causes malaria, resulting in a single dose of rodent treatment. Some analogues of this unique drug class are candidates for controlling Covid-19, a disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus.

Computer models show that manzamine A shares similar structures with known protein inhibitors, but manzamine A is 10 times stronger in blocking problematic proteins.

In the future, scientists will continue to do clinical research with the effects of Manzamine A. The goal now is to make sure it works well in animals and then try to put it into applications. clinical use and further development.

Although these molecules could have previously been synthesized in the laboratory, Dr. Hamann and colleagues did not think it was the best process.

Most of the starting materials for laboratory-based synthesis are derived from petroleum. In contrast, sponges in their natural habitat can be successfully raised and, unlike other forms of aquaculture, clean the environment.

Therefore, the production of these molecules from sponges grown in the environment will probably be the best source while creating economic development opportunities in rural Indonesia.

"Preserving species diversity is extremely important, as is the diversity of the chemicals they create and the chances of cancer treatment they bring. If 50 years of climate change remain unregulated, predicting that we may lose one third of global species diversity. '

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