New Way of Supercharging Prostate Cancer Treatments
Prostate cancer treatment could be "supercharged" by a new way of weakening malignant cells, say scientists in Australia.
A new "vulnerability" in prostate cancer cells was discovered by an international team of researchers, which could improve treatment for the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
Discovery of Molecular Bodyguards
Two enzymes, PDIA1 and PDIA5, play a crucial role in helping prostate cancer cells to grow, survive, and resist treatment. They act as "molecular bodyguards" for the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that fuels the cancer.
When PDIA1 and PDIA5 are blocked, the AR becomes unstable and breaks down, leading to the death of the cancer cells and tumor shrinkage in both lab-grown cells and animal models.
Author's summary: Scientists discover new way to weaken prostate cancer cells.