RNA interference against cancer
The use of RNA interference is a unique approach to cancer treatment, since such drugs delivered with the help of lipid nanoparticles inside tumor cells have the ability to selectively "turn off" genes encoding proteins involved in the process of dividing malignant cells.
TKM-080301, the first of this class of drugs tested in a clinical trial, was developed by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation and is designed to block the PLK1 gene. This gene encodes the enzyme polo-like kinase-1, involved in the growth of tumor cells. Earlier studies have shown that high levels of this enzyme are characteristic of cells of various types of cancer, including many of the most aggressive forms.
According to the authors, the results of preclinical studies have demonstrated that a decrease in the concentration of polo-like kinase-1 in malignant cells stops the growth of the tumor and leads to the death of its cells.
Patients with the last stages of solid tumors and lymphoma participate in the currently ongoing multicenter open clinical trial with an increase in dose. To date, 23 patients have received intravenous injections of the drug in doses ranging from 0.15 to 0.9 mg/kg of body weight per week.
The most common adverse reactions reported in participants were mild to moderate fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and weakness. Manifestations of dose-limiting toxicity were observed when the drug was administered at a dose of 0.9 mg / kg of body weight per week. One patient with a history of asthmatic symptoms developed shortness of breath and hypoxia; another patient was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. When these symptoms appeared, the researchers reduced the dose of the drug to 0.75 mg/ kg of body weight per week.
Two patients received injections of TKM-080301 for more than 6 months, while they had no manifestations of cumulative toxicity. One of them has stabilized the course of the disease, the second has confirmed a persistent partial response to treatment.
Researchers believe that therapies based on RNA interference can make a significant contribution to the treatment of cancer, since they can be used to influence almost any protein involved in the development and progression of the disease. This approach can improve the effectiveness of currently used treatment methods and improve the survival of cancer patients.
The results of the study were presented at the annual congress of the American Association for Cancer Research, held on April 6-10, 2013 in Washington.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the American Association for Cancer Research:
RNA Interference Drug Demonstrated Activity and Safety in Phase I Trial.
12.04.2013