Undifferentiated Small Round Cell Sarcomas (USRCS), or 'Ewing-like sarcomas' are a group of complex cancers driven by specific genetic changes (mutations). In these cancers, two molecules are fused together, acting as a 'cancer-driver' that transforms normal cells into cancerous ones and helps them to grow. These cancer-drivers are therefore ideal targets for treatment.
However, 'Ewing-like' sarcomas have received limited research attention, resulting in limited treatment options. Consequently, there are currently no methods to directly target these cancer-driving molecules. Existing treatments do not rely directly on the biology of the different tumours falling within this large and varied group. Instead, they involve broad chemotherapies, surgery, and radiotherapy, which affect both healthy and cancerous cells and have shown limited effectiveness for patients with one of the many different 'Ewing-like' sarcomas.
Dr Nezha Benabdallah and a team of researchers at Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre and the University of Edinburgh are setting out to address this unmet need, aiming to develop new treatments targeting these rare bone cancers which largely affect children and young adults.
What are the aims of this research project?
This project will focus on a protein structure called ‘Polycomb’, which acts as a regulator or ‘controller’, switching off critical genes. Previous research conducted by the team found the cancer-driving molecules attach themselves to Polycomb, causing some genes to become abnormally active or ‘switched on’, leading to the development of cancer.
Dr Benabdallah and team are therefore aiming to develop approaches to disrupt the activity of Polycomb, exploring different strategies and testing out the actions of different compounds. In doing so, they hope to accelerate the identification of 'pre clinical candidate' compounds, which might be taken forwards into clinical trials.
How could this project improve treatment options for primary bone cancer patients in the future?
By focusing on the underlying biology of these tumours, Dr Benabdallah and the research team aim to pave the way towards more effective and less toxic treatments, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients with primary bone cancers.
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