Breakthrough: New Drug CDDD11-8 Could Halt The Growth Of Aggressive Breast Cancer

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Breakthrough: New Drug CDDD11-8 Could Halt The Growth of Aggressive Breast Cancer

8th Feb 2024 by Admin 196

Scientists in Australia have discovered a promising drug, CDDD11-8, that selectively inhibits a protein involved in triple-negative breast cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, this oral medicine targets cancerous cells while sparing healthy tissue. Learn about the breakthrough and its potential impact on survival rates.

Scientists in Australia think they have discovered a better way to treat the deadliest and most aggressive form of breast cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, the new treatment approach kills and slows the growth of only cancerous cells within breast tissue, not normal, healthy ones. The oral medicine also targets metastatic lesions that have spread elsewhere in the body and show resistance to chemotherapy.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Formidable Foe

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for up to 15 percent of all breast cancers, and it is notorious for growing and spreading relatively fast, even among young patients. To date, there are no targeted drug treatments available to combat this form of cancer, leaving patients with only a few broad options: intensive chemotherapy or cutting-edge immunotherapy. Even then, the chances of relapse within five years are high. If the cancer spreads to distant locations outside localized breast tissue, the five-year survival rate can fall from 91 percent to 12 percent. New forms of treatment are desperately needed to save lives.

CDDD11-8: A Promising Breakthrough

The drug in question is called CDDD11-8, and it was initially developed to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AML is a cancer that grows in bone marrow, and it is difficult to target. The cancerous cells survive, grow, and spread by ramping up protein production, especially via a pathway called cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9). To date, the United States Food and Drug Advisory has not approved any drug that inhibits CDK9, though one version has shown initial clinical benefits.

In 2022, researchers at the University of South Australia developed CDDD11-8 to selectively inhibit CDK9. When tested on animal models, the oral drug triggered “robust tumor growth inhibition” that “translated to an improved survival of animals” with leukemia. Now, that same drug shows promise in treating triple-negative breast cancers, too.

Targeting CDK9: A Pathway to Hope

“It is still early days, but based on this initial evidence, we believe inhibiting this protein could lead to a treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, and this new drug should be developed further,” says breast cancer expert Theresa Hickey from the University of Adelaide, who led experiments on the new oral medicine. She and her team at the University of Adelaide think that targeting CDK9 could also work for other aggressive cancers that are “addicted to transcription.” Transcription is the copying of genetic instructions into RNA molecules, which then help control protein production. In cancerous cells, transcription is often ‘out-of-control’ compared to healthy cells. This helps the disease rapidly grow and spread, leading to worse outcomes for patients.

CDDD11-8 even has a possibility of working on humans. Testing its effects on patient-derived breast cancer tissue and three-dimensional organoids, the team found encouraging signs of success without toxic side effects on healthy cells.

A Ray of Hope

This breakthrough drug offers hope to patients battling triple-negative breast cancer. Its targeted approach and potential to inhibit CDK9 could revolutionize treatment options and improve survival rates. As research continues, we eagerly await further developments and clinical trials. For now, the spotlight shines on CDDD11-8, a beacon of hope in the fight against aggressive breast cancer.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.