Russian scientists from ITMO University have for the first time conducted a detailed study of the molecular mechanisms of irinotecan, a cancer drug, and uncovered a previously unknown protein target in tumour cells that the drug acts upon. They believe this discovery will help create more effective and safer forms of the medication.
“By deactivating the new protein target with a known drug, it becomes possible to selectively inhibit the progression of various types of cancer and use gentler therapy for the patient, including lower radiation doses,” explained Olga Volkova, a researcher at the Infochemistry Scientific and Educational Centre of ITMO University.
Irinotecan is a semi‑synthetic anticancer drug of natural origin that represents a modified version of camptothecin, a substance extracted from the bark of Chinese trees of the genus Camptotheca, the scientists noted. They also added that irinotecan suppresses the activity of topoisomerase enzymes, which play an important role in cell division, thereby slowing the proliferation of cells in a wide range of tumours, including colorectal and lung cancer.
To obtain data on how irinotecan works, the scientists prepared virtual analogues of the molecule using computer modelling systems and calculated its interactions using two different approaches. One approach was aimed at studying how strongly the drug and proteins bind to each other, while the second helped the researchers assess how stable their complexes were over extended periods of time.
