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The scientists who developed a new drug that may be effective against all major types of primary bone cancer in children have called it "the most significant drug discovery in the field in nearly half a century." Tests on mice implanted with human bone cancer demonstrated CADD522's ability to inhibit a gene linked to cancer's ability to spread. The findings, published in the Journal of Bone Oncology, demonstrated that the drug can increase survival rates by 50% without the need for surgery or chemotherapy. Primary bone cancer is the third most common solid childhood cancer, after brain and kidney, with around 52,000 new cases every year worldwide. It can rapidly spread to other parts of the body, making it very difficult to treat with curative intent once metastasis occurs. Currently, chemotherapy and limb amputation are the only treatments for bone cancers, with a 42% chance of survival.
The researchers analysed bone tumour samples from 19 patients at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and discovered that the gene RUNX2 is activated in primary bone cancer and is associated with the disease's spread. According to tests, CADD522 prevents the RUNX2 protein from promoting cancer development. Metastasis-free survival was increased by 50% in preclinical trials when the drug was administered alone, without chemotherapy or surgery. Importantly, because the RUNX2 gene is not usually required by normal cells, the drug does not cause side effects like those associated with chemotherapy, such as hair loss, fatigue, and sickness. The drug is currently undergoing toxicology testing, after which the team will seek approval from the MHRA to begin a clinical trial on humans. The research was supported by Sir William Coxen Trust and Big C, with scientists from the University of Sheffield, Newcastle University, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital of Birmingham, and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital also participating.
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About Dr. Nishant Mittal
Dr. Nishant Mittal is a highly accomplished researcher with over 13 years of experience in the fields of cardiovascular biology and cancer research. Significant contributions to stem cell biology, developmental biology, and innovative research techniques mark his career. Research Highlights Dr. Mittal's research has focused on several key areas: 1) Cardio…
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