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A new molecular entity for cancer
José A. Acosta, Ricardo S. Rodríguez,
Boris E. Acevedo
Havana - November 28. Cuban scientists from the
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana
, Cuba , and the Quilmes University ( Argentina ) have recently
published the finding of a novel proapoptotic peptide with anti
tumor effect (Cancer
Research 64, 2004: 7127-7129). A prideful
work was performed to obtain the new molecular entity (NME): a
proapoptotic cyclic peptide that blocks the protein kinase 2 (CK2)
phosphorylation and exhibits anti tumor effect in vivo .
This significant result indicates that the peptide may potentially
be used clinically to treat solid tumors or as an adjuvant for
cancer therapy.
The CIGB's scientists have reported a peptide-based
approach used to interfere with the CK2 phosphorylation pathway
by blocking substrate interaction. Tumor cell lines and relevant
tumor models were used to further investigate the potential antineoplasic
effect of such a peptide inhibitor both in vitro and in
vivo .
Administration of the peptide led to a significant reduction or
complete inhibition of tumor growth in an animal model for lung
cancer. Interestingly, the differences between the peptide and
the control groups were maintained after cessation of treatment
and until the end of the assay (18 days). Results showed a vigorous
anti tumor effect of the peptide when directly administered into
solid tumors for 5 days. Data provides proof-of-concept that a
peptide inhibitor that blocks CK2 phosphorylation by targeting
the substrate can exhibit anti tumor properties in both tumor cell
lines and in an animal model. This NME may serve as the prototype
of a peptide-based drug with the potential to reduce tumor burden
alone or when co administered with conventional chemotherapy.
Many years of dedicated research and development
have been invested by the CIGB in the field of Oncology, dating
back to 1980, looking for molecules with the highest medical value
for cancer. The Interferon manufactured at the CIGB has been indicated
and used for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous
leukemia, multiple myeloma, low and medium grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma, solid
tumours, fibroma in children, infancy haemangioma, AIDS-related
Kaposi's sarcoma and advanced ovarian carcinoma.  Antitumor
Effect of a Novel Proapoptotic Peptide that Impairs the Phosphorylation
by the Protein Kinase 2 (Casein Kinase 2). Silvio E. Perea, Osvaldo
Reyes, Yaquelin Puchades, Osmani Mendoza, Nelson S. Vispo,
Isis Torrens,
Alicia Santos, Ricardo Silva, Boris Acevedo, Ernesto López,
Viviana Falcón, and Daniel F. Alonso. Cancer Research
64, 2004: 7127-7129. About the CIGB
The CIGB, a vanguard institution in the Life Sciences
in Cuba , is a large research-production complex, endowed with
the state of the art equipment, production capacities and personnel
devoted to the development of new biotechnology products in all
stages, from the cloning and expression using recombinant DNA technology
to industrial production. The CIGB has extensive experience in
the recombinant DNA technology dated back to 1980, with more than
1300 employees, owning the most modern and efficient technology,
carefully studied-beforehand facilities so as to ease the quiet
and continuous workflow with a total area of more than 70 000 m² . The CIGB is looking for corporate partnership for joint development
of R&D projects.
For information: http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu or http://www.cigb.edu.cu
Contact: ricardo.silva@cigb.edu.cu
Phone: (53-7) 2712397.
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