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A discovery that could revolutionize the fight against cancer, three Portuguese researchers (Rita Accorcio, Rita Guedes and Helena Florendo) from the Institute of Medicine Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, and Israeli researcher, Ronit Sacchi-Vinaro, from Tel University. Aviv discovered a molecule capable of stimulating the immune system to fight different types of cancer.
Helena FlorindoOne of the study authors began by explaining the type of molecule that was discovered and its structure for RFI.
“We are talking about a small molecule, it is basically a chemical compound, like many other compounds that already exist, and in our case, we wanted it to be an alternative to antibodies, which are already given in the clinic, but have a very large effect. It is expensive and is given by injection‘, referring to the Portuguese scholar.
The goal of this research team is to create a file grainwhich may be more effective and produce fewer side effects than current anti-cancer therapies.
“What we wanted from this molecule was to then administer it, as a tablet, orally. What it does is reduce the blockage that the cancer develops in response, to the protection that our body normally develops, which the tumor ends up overpowering and blocking as it progresses. What this molecule does is eliminate these lumps“, he added.
This molecule could be A more effective and affordable alternative To treatment through antibodies, currently used in the fight against cancer, the researcher explained.
“And theWe are talking about a small molecule, which is produced by simple chemical synthesis. For example, we do it in our laboratory, but of course, in order to manufacture it and give it to patients, it has to be in specialized factories and under special conditions, while antibodies are biological molecules. It is a different and more complex production“, He said.
According to Helena Florindo, this molecule May be effective in fighting different types of cancerincluding breast or lung cancer, cancers that are currently treated with antibody therapies.
“We are talking, for example, about metastatic melanoma, the highly aggressive stages of this tumor, and cancer of the lung, bladder or breast. There are actually several types of tumors for which this type of antibody has been approved to treat this type of tumor. What sometimes happens is that some patients are unable to complete the treatment due to some negative effects as well. We hope that this small molecule will also be used by these patients by causing fewer adverse effects.“, he added.
So far, tests Produced positive effects in laboratory mice The next step is the clinical trial, testing in humans, which could take about two years. Before that, the team is trying to improve the molecule so that the effect in treating tumors is better than that of antibody therapy.
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