Therapeutic drug can render cancer cells: Study

Bonn: The immune system is suppressed by the protective scent that many tumour cells spray themselves with. However, it appears that a medicine that has already been approved for other uses can render this weapon harmless. A study from the University of Bonn and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf that has just been published in the Journal for Immuno Therapy of Cancer demonstrates this. The substance will now be further optimized, said the researchers. This could eventually lead to the development of novel anti-cancer medications. A dense cloud of adenosine is present around many cancer cells. The chemical suppresses the immune system, on the one hand. At the same time, it promotes the growth of new blood vessels that feed and hydrate the tumour. Additionally, it makes sure that the cancerous cells spread to other organs and develop metastases there. Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP for short, is used to make adenosine. It is highly secreted by tumour cells. They possess a variety of enzymes that, in a series of stages, transform ATP into adenosine. CD39 is the name of one of these. Prof. Dr Christa Muller from the University of Bonn’s Institute of Pharmacy explains that it catalyzes the initial conversion stage. “Little adenosine is generated when CD39 is blocked.” Pharmaceutical researchers are consequently looking for an active component that slows CD39 all over the world. Because cancers wouldn’t be shielded from the immune system without adenosine. Instead, Muller explains, “ATP would build up surrounding the cancer cells, which would really activate the immune response.” Therefore, rather than being inhibited, the body’s natural defences would be heightened. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.