What's Happening?
A team of researchers led by Professor Xiang David Li from the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a significant breakthrough in the field of epigenetic drug discovery. Collaborating with Shenzhen Bay Laboratory and Tsinghua
University, the team has developed a first-in-class chemical inhibitor that targets the ATAC complex, a key player in activating tumor-promoting genes. This development is particularly relevant for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the ATAC complex is known to be overactive in such cancers, leading to uncontrolled tumor growth. The inhibitor, named LS-170, specifically targets the YEATS2 protein subunit of the ATAC complex, preventing it from binding to chromatin and thus reducing the activation of oncogenes. The findings have been published in Nature Chemical Biology, and international patents have been filed.
Why It's Important?
This breakthrough is crucial as it offers a new therapeutic avenue for treating NSCLC, a common and aggressive form of lung cancer. By selectively inhibiting the ATAC complex without affecting other cellular functions, the new inhibitor could potentially reduce side effects associated with cancer treatments. The research highlights a novel strategy in drug development, focusing on specific components of enzyme complexes, which could lead to more targeted and effective cancer therapies. The success of LS-170 in suppressing tumor growth in both cell lines and animal models suggests that this approach could be extended to other cancers where the YEATS2 gene is amplified, such as ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
What's Next?
The next steps involve further clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of LS-170 in humans. If successful, this could lead to the development of a new class of cancer drugs that are more precise in targeting cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal cells. The research team is also likely to explore the potential of this strategy in other types of cancer and possibly other diseases where epigenetic regulation plays a critical role. The broader implications of this research could revolutionize the way epigenetic drugs are developed, offering hope for more effective treatments for various human diseases.
