The compound promotes cell death and prevents cancer cells

In a recent study, scientists discovered a class of compounds that interfere with the cell signaling pathway that could lead to new cancer treatments. These compounds are called nonPosphoinositide PIP3 (PITs) inhibitors, preventing tumor growth in mice by inducing cell death.

' PIT causes cells to self-destruct by interfering with signaling pathways that regulate cell life. When these compounds cause cell death, PITs show promise of application to prevent undesirable and dangerous growth characteristics of cancer , 'said Dr. Alexei Degterev, professor of biochemistry. Tufts University (Tufts University School of Medicine - TUSM) said.

(Artwork: Signaling-gateway)

Dr. Degterev teamed up with colleagues at many prestigious universities and hospitals to study compounds that could hinder a cell signaling molecule called PIP3. In addition to 50,000 molecules screened, the team identified two additional inhibitors of PIP3. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS.

' We tested the stability of these two molecules in mice and found that it inhibited tumor growth and induced cancer cell death ,' said Dr. Benchun Miao, co-author of the study said.

' We also found that PITs have a stronger antitumor effect in cells with high PIP3 concentrations. In humans, high PIP3-containing cells are responsible for forming cancer cell attack substances such as glioblastoma , 'Ts. Igor Skidan, another co-author, said.

According to Dr. Degterev, PITs is a promising method, has not been discovered much in cancer treatment. He points out that PITs are a new class of compounds that block PIP3, which appears at the beginning of the cell signaling pathway that works in many human tumors. The study also led to a way to identify other molecules similar to PITs. Dr. Degterev hopes this method will help researchers extract compounds that interfere with tumor growth. ' We have not yet entered the PITs evaluation phase to provide therapy. Our next goal is to work with partners at the National Chemical Laboratory to develop PITs with greater efficiency . '