SCIENTISTS have discovered a way to block a protein that fuels tumours — calling it cancer’s “Achilles’ heel”.
When the US team removed the protein ATF4 from cancer cells grown in a lab, they “over-stressed” and went into self-destruct mode.
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Lead author Dr Feven Tameire said: “This shows us the potential impacts of targeting ATF4 in MYC-dependent tumours – something we’re already studying.
“We’re also working to confirm this approach will not cause any serious off-target effects.”
Professor Gerard Evan, from Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Centre, said: “Myc is an important transcription factor that it is essential for most – perhaps all – cancers.
“However, it has proven difficult to target, and there are currently no drugs that target Myc.
“This early research is promising; instead of targeting Myc directly, the authors have found a novel way to attack Myc by the back door.
“However, many cancers express low levels of Myc, so this approach may not be so effective in those cases.
“Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see whether these results can be replicated in more cancer types, and if this approach can be used to guide future treatment of Myc-dependent cancers.”
The research, carried out at Pennsylvania University, is in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
