A Swedish study has discovered that a new drug targeting the weaknesses of blood cancer cells is expected to precisely eliminate cancer cells

A latest research has found that some blood tumor cells have weak links that can be "precisely targeted" by drugs, which means that it is possible to "directionally" clear cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the Karolinska Institute in Sweden recently issued a bulletin stating that an international team involving researchers from the institute has focused on studying a type of hematological tumor called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This disease mainly affects the elderly. The current treatment methods are limited and the cure is rather difficult.

The research team discovered that mutations in the SF3B1 gene in somatic cells can cause MDS, but this mutation, while causing disease, also becomes a fatal weakness of cancer cells. Cancer cells carrying this mutation make errors in processing genetic information, leading to abnormal synthesis of the key protein UBA1. The lack of UBA1 disrupts the internal order of cancer cells, making them more vulnerable.

Based on this weakness, the team tested the drug TAK-243 which can block UBA1, attempting to deal a "further blow" to the cancer cells that already lack UBA1. The results show that this drug can effectively kill mutated cancer cells, while healthy cells with normal UBA1 levels are almost unaffected. This result has been verified in various experimental models, including cells derived from patients.

The communique pointed out that the current treatment of MDS mainly focuses on alleviating symptoms such as anemia. Although stem cell transplantation has the potential to cure diseases, it is highly risky and imposes strict requirements on patients. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to develop new drugs with fewer side effects and stronger targeting. This research provides new ideas for targeted therapy directly targeting mutated cancer cells.

The research team's next step is to evaluate the drug combination regimens, with the aim of further enhancing the therapeutic effect and promoting the transformation of the results into clinical applications. The relevant achievements have been published in the international academic journal Leukemia.