Test substances help kill cancer cells

Cancer cells grow faster than blood supply and this causes them to lack oxygen. These cells then produce energy in a way that requires more sugar than oxygen.

Understanding this principle, researchers at Ohio State University and Richard J. Solove Research Center built an experimental drug that cuts off sugar supply, causing cancer cells to self-destruct.

The findings, published in the journal "Biochemistry", indicate that the test substance called OSU-CG12 is an example of new anti-cancer drugs.

Professor Ching-Shih Chen, an expert in biochemistry and endocrinology and director of the study, said: "Energy restriction can be a new and effective strategy for treating cancer. Because it targets the survival mechanism of many types of cancer cells, our research shows that this new substance kills cancer cells through the prevention of energy supply. "

To create this new substance, Professor Chen and colleagues started with a drug called ciglitazone, which was developed to treat type 2 diabetes but also has anti-cancer functions in the Laboratory test.

The ciglitazone drug produces anti-diabetic effects by activating a protein called PPAR-gamma and a variety of genes. The anticancer effect of this drug also has the same mechanism. However, according to Professor Chen, the anti-cancer effects are due to another mechanism, limiting the energy supply.

To enhance this activity, scientists changed the structure of the ciglitazone molecule, producing OSU-CG12. In the experiment with prostate cancer cells and breast cancer, OSU-CG12 was effective in killing cancer cells 10 times higher than ciglitazone and resveratrol - a natural product. found in grapes and red wine.

In addition, this new substance also works to prevent the supply of glucose to cancer cells and limit their ability to metabolize sugar.

Currently, Professor Chen and colleagues continue to regulate OSU-CG12 to enhance efficacy and they hope to test it for other diseases such as cardiovascular and Alzheimer's.