Scientists have hailed a “new era” in cancer medicine after discovering a therapy which targets a genetic mutation found in multiple types of cancer.
Experts say thousands could benefit from the potentially “game changing” novel treatment currently undergoing global trials including London’s University College Hospital and Guys and St Thomas’.
The drug therapy targets an abnormality in a gene known as RET that is linked to cancer growth. This abnormality leads to overactivity of ‘RET’ signalling which drives cancer by encouraging tumour cells to divide and survive.
The new therapy – known as EP0031 – closely binds to the RET protein – ‘like keys in a lock’ turning off this activation process and forcing cells to die.
The RET gene mutation is found in up to 3 percent of all types of cancerous tumours with varying frequency including cancers of the lung, gut, breast, ovarian, bowel, pancreas, and thyroid.
Preliminary studies have shown the treatment, which can be given as a once-a-day pill, has far fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
Last week EP0031 was approved for fast track development by the American regulator the Food and Drug Administration and the drug is on track for European and UK approval. The therapy is being trialled in the US and UK, Spain and other parts of Europe and will initially be used to target lung and thyroid cancers.
Unusually the new treatment has been shown to be so effective it is being trialled in some patients as a first line therapy – before standard treatments are used.
Tobias Arkenau, an honorary professor of cancer medicine at University College Hospital and Chief Medical Officer at Ellipses Pharma, which developed the new therapy, said: “This next generation cancer drug binds deep in the pockets of the RET protein like keys in a lock. This stops the protein driving the cancer cells by getting out of control.”
He added: “The results so far are very promising and if this treatment is effective it could be an ultimate game changer which could be used as a first line therapy and in patients whose treatments have already failed.”
He called for all cancer patients to be genetically screened so that those with genetic abnormalities could be identified and treated.
He added: “We now realise cancers are made up of many different subtypes. Genetic tests for all cancer patients should be mandatory so that we can have the opportunity to use next generation personalised treatments like EP0031 in eligible patients.”
Dr Martin Forster, who is heading the trial at London’s University College Hospital said: “This is very exciting and shows that with better understanding of the biology of cancer we can now personalise drug treatments to individual tumours with more effective and less toxic treatments. If this treatment proves helpful in trials it could be used in all cancers and therefore help thousands of patients a year.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
