ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Researchers zoom in on potential treatment for prostate cancer

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
March 23, 2016
in Health, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

AI identifies prostate cancer with stunning accuracy
Microbots no larger than a human cell set to carry more payload drugs
A type 2 diabetes drug might treat Alzheimer’s
Pot twist: Cannabis component helps fight addiction in new study

Researchers at the University of Georgia may be zooming in on a treatment for prostate cancer. Their new therapy shows great efficacy for mouse models, and the treatment is expected to go in human trials.

Somanath Shenoy is an associate professor of Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics in the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Image via University of Georgia.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer, killing some 10,000 people in the UK every year (rates vary greatly across the world), with most men over 50 being at a very high risk of disease. The proposed treatment inhibits the activity of a protein called PAK-1. PAK-1 is responsible for the development of highly invasive prostate cancer cells.

“PAK-1 is kind of like an on/off switch,” said study co-author Somanath Shenoy, an associate professor in UGA’s College of Pharmacy. “When it turns on, it makes cancerous cells turn into metastatic cells that spread throughout the body.”

The solution they propose bears a similar name – IPA-3. IPA-3 is a molecule which limits the activity of PAK-1 proteins. Shenoy and Brian Cummings, an associate professor in UGA’s College of Pharmacy, packed IPA-3 in a bubble-like structure called a liposome and injected it intravenously. The liposome shell surrounding IPA-3 ensures that it is not metabolized by the body too quickly, allowing the inhibitor enough time to disrupt the PAK-1 protein. Hitting this timing is important for the disruption of PAK-1.

They found that following this treatment,

“When we first began these experiments, we injected IPA-3 directly into the bloodstream, but it was absorbed so quickly that we had to administer the treatment seven days a week for it to be effective,” Shenoy said. “But the liposome that Dr. Cummings created makes the IPA-3 much more stable, and it reduced the treatment regimen to only twice a week.”

The preliminary results are really good, but there is still a while before we can test this on humans. They’ve shown that the treatment can work, now they have to see what negative side effects it could have.

“The results of our experiments are promising, and we hope to move toward clinical trials soon,” he said, “but we must figure out what side effects this treatment may have before we can think about using it in humans.”

Tags: pak-3prostate cancertreatment

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Health

Urologist Explains What Biden’s ‘Aggressive’ Prostate Cancer Means

byJason P. Joseph
3 weeks ago
Health

There are actually 6 types of depression and anxiety. Each should be treated differently

byTibi Puiu
12 months ago
Health

New lung cancer drug results are so good it’s “off the charts”

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago
Mind & Brain

Suicidal thoughts and depression show up in blood markers. This is big for mental health care

byMihai Andrei
1 year ago

Recent news

AI-Based Method Restores Priceless Renaissance Art in Under 4 Hours Rather Than Months

June 13, 2025

Meet the Dragon Prince: The Closest Known Ancestor to T-Rex

June 13, 2025

Your Breathing Is Unique and Can Be Used to ID You Like a Fingerprint

June 13, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.