Transporter Molecules Target Prostate Cancer

14-07-2009, 11:27

Purdue University scientists have developed a new molecule that is capable of carrying a pharmaceutical load straight into prostate tumor cells. For now only confirmed in laboratory studies, the new particles will soon be tested in clinical trials when scientists couple them with new imaging agents that can also come along for a ride.

The molecule Low's team created [Philip Low, the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry --ed.] attaches to prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA, a protein that is found on the membrane of more than 90 percent of all prostate cancers. It also is found on the blood vessels of most solid tumors and could provide a way to cut off the tumor blood supply.

"A lot of new drugs are being designed to destroy the vasculature of solid tumors, and, if they could be linked to this new targeting molecule, we could have a two-pronged attack for prostate cancer," Low said. "We could not only kill the prostate cancer cells directly, we could also destroy the vasculature that feeds the tumors."There also is potential for the targeting molecule to be used to attack the vasculature of solid tumors of other types of cancers, Low said.

Source: Megagadget