Zinc-Based Drugs Show Promise in Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment
A new approach to cancer treatment is showing promise at the Wilmot Cancer Institute. Researchers have discovered that zinc-based drugs can deliver zinc directly to cancer cells, potentially benefiting over 120,000 patients annually in the US. The breakthrough relies on zinc's role in preserving the function of the p53 gene, which is the most commonly mutated cancer gene and a factor in nearly every type of cancer. When p53 mutates, it can no longer stop cancer cells from growing uncontrollably. However, a study led by Stewart Loh, a professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, has found that raising zinc levels in cells can stabilize an unexpectedly broad group of p53 mutations. Zinc metallochaperones, a type of zinc-based drug, can deliver zinc directly to cancer cells. These drugs can reactivate p53 and restore its cancer-fighting abilities. Darren Carpizo, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Rochester Medical Center, is investigating this further. The potential of zinc in cancer treatment is exciting, and it may also have positive impacts on infectious diseases and some neurological conditions. Zinc-based drugs with a 'chaperone' component could revolutionize cancer treatment. By delivering zinc directly to cancer cells, these drugs can stabilize the p53 protein and potentially treat a wide range of cancers. Further research is needed, but the initial findings are promising.
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