Researchers at the University of Toronto Mississauga are making strides in cancer treatment through the development of innovative protein-based drugs, often referred to as “frankenproteins.” This initiative, led by Jumi Shin and her team, aims to create safer and more effective therapies for patients battling aggressive cancers.
Innovation in Cancer Therapies
The term “frankenproteins” reflects the unique creation method, which involves cutting and pasting segments from various proteins. These engineered proteins have shown promise in slowing tumor growth in several types of aggressive cancers.
Research and Development
- Leader: Jumi Shin, Associate Professor at U of T Mississauga
- Team Members:
- Raneem Akel (PhD Student)
- Rama Edaibis (PhD Student)
- Maryam Ali (PhD Student)
- Funding: Supported by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Shin’s team utilizes a rational design approach, allowing them to craft new proteins based on the structural and functional understanding of existing proteins. Their research includes the creation of customized proteins aimed at targeting specific genetic sequences, which help regulate gene circuits in cells.
Targeting Myc/Max Protein Complex
A significant breakthrough from Shin’s lab involves a “designer frankenprotein” capable of inhibiting the Myc/Max protein complex from binding to DNA. This is particularly noteworthy because the Myc protein is known to malfunction in numerous cancers, and currently, no small-molecule treatments exist for the Myc/Max pathway.
Funding and Future Directions
Recently, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research provided funding through its Cancer Therapeutic Innovation Pipeline, offering up to $1 million over two years. This funding is crucial for advancing the development of new anti-cancer treatments, particularly for challenging breast and ovarian cancers.
Advancing Research Techniques
Shin and her team are employing directed evolution to improve the proteins. This method mimics natural selection, helping to refine and enhance the frankenproteins efficiently. In this process, they utilize bacteriophages that carry the DNA of the proteins, allowing for extensive mutations and identifying the most successful variants without exhaustive manual analysis.
PhD student Maryam Ali has expressed optimism regarding the potential applications of their research. The pathways targeted by their proteins are over-expressed in more than 70% of cancers, indicating a vast potential impact on cancer treatment.
This pioneering work signifies a potential shift in how cancer therapies are developed and applied, aiming to provide new hope for patients facing limited treatment options.
