A new way to combat intractable melanoma, based on features of an alternative DNA structure, has been proposed by Russian experts from the National Research University Higher School of Economics in collaboration with colleagues from the USA, China, Australia and Japan. They outlined the details in an article in the journal Nature.
Z-DNA is a left-handed double-stranded alternative DNA structure. Z-DNA formation occurs during inflammatory processes and is triggered by interferon. In this case, the proteins ADAR1 and ZBP1 play a role – the first suppresses the body’s autoimmune response, and the second, on the contrary, activates it and initiates the cell death program for the affected cells. These proteins are also produced in skin cells affected by cancer.
The researchers injected mice with melanoma with a drug based on CBL0137 molecules, which causes massive production of Z-DNA. This activated the ZBP1 protein independently of ADAR1 and resulted in the death of tumor growth-promoting fibroblasts, and the cancer cells again began to respond to immunotherapy. It doesn’t matter which mutation causes cancer in the first place.
The drug with CBL0137 has long passed clinical trials, the study’s authors point out. If further experiments are successful, it could be used in melanoma patients in the future.
Formerly American oncologists can Reversing a patient’s pancreatic cancer metastasis by replacing their own immune cells to attack cancer cells. The researchers were able to make sure that the patient’s T-lymphocytes recognized the mutant protein inside the tumor cells from the fragments visible on the surface, without affecting the healthy cells.
After one month, metastases in the lungs were reduced by 67% and were too small for biopsy. After a month, they were reduced by 79%, but in the next nine months their size did not change – perhaps now the formations are made up of dead cells.
The scientists plan to invite other patients with incurable cancers to test the method.