1930s gonorrhea drug could fight cancer
Washington, Nov 7 : Drug, acriflavine, used in the 1930s for treating gonorrhea, has now been found beneficial in battling cancer, according to a new study at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Researchers have found that acriflavine has the previously unknown ability to halt the growth of new blood vessels.
"Often times we are surprised that a drug known to do something else has another hidden property," said Dr. Jun Liu, a professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins and author on the study.
Preliminary tests showed that mice engineered to develop cancer had no tumour growth if treated with daily injections of acriflavine.
"As cancer cells rapidly divide, they consume considerable amounts of oxygen. To continue growing, a tumour must create new blood vessels to deliver oxygen to the tumour cells," said Dr. Gregg Semenza.
Acriflavine stops blood vessel growth by inhibiting the function of the protein hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1, which was discovered by Semenza's team in 1992.
When HIF-1 senses that the surrounding environment is low in oxygen, it turns on genes necessary for building new vessels.
Though essential for normal tissue growth and wound healing, HIF-1 is also turned on by cancers to obtain the oxygen they need to survive.
Most importantly, in order for HIF-1 to work, two subunits must bind together like puzzle pieces.
To visualize protein binding, scientists engineered a cell line so that when the HIF-1 subunits came together, they would cause the cell to light up like a firefly.
They then tested each of the more than 3,000 drugs in the John Hopkins drug library and found that Acriflavine did turn out the light and further studies confirmed that it was binding directly to HIF-1.
"Mechanistically, this is the first drug of its kind. It is acting in a way that is never seen for this family of proteins," said Liu.
Liu hopes that acriflavine can one day be incorporated into chemotherapy cocktails, one drug among many that help fight cancer.
The study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
--ANI
Terrorists getting funds, equipment from Pak: Jammu Kashmir DGP
CEC 'ex-parte' recommendations contrary to SC, AP HC orders: OMC
India, US to sign Counter-Terrorism Initiative
The Netherlands Co to build 50,000 houses for flood-hit
World a better place without policing by the US and China: RSS
Southern Railway announces extension of special trains
Don't collect differential amount from poor students: CM
Insurance sector witnessing decline due to economic slowdown
Railway to seek grant from Centre for socially important projects
INS and Editors' Guild condemn attack on IBN-Lokmat's offices
Zak Trade Fairs and Exhibitions from Dec 3
Brethren Convention from Nov 30
YSR kin to get ticket for Assembly bypoll in Andhra Pradesh: Congress
National Mortality rate comes down to 72 per 1000 lives in India
Ensure balanced coverage of 26/11 anniv, Govt tells TV channels
Revoke life ban against Azharuddin, Congress MPs urge BCCI
Putin calls for modernisation of Russia's economy
US to give crucial information on Headley-Rana accomplice's 26/11 role to India
Kamat to inugurate annual 'India-The Big Picture' on Nov 24
Special package for disabled tourists in Himachal Pradesh hotels
Sushma Seth, Shehnaz Hussain honoured with Priyadarshini Awards
YSR's good work will ensure Cong facile win in civic polls: Andhra Pradesh CM
Swamy warns of stir against renaming Madurai airport
Cong, TDP candidates intend to make money post GHMC polls: JP
Precious metals zoom up during the week
State Govts equally responsible for price rise: Minister
China proves its supremecy in Asian TT C'ship
Two held for twin-murder in Kerala
China's intevention in Jammu Kashmir will be opposed : Rajnath
Centre to set up Biodiversity Research Centre: Ramesh
'Safety of journalists is our priority', says Ramesh Bagve
Karnataka CM meets Governor
India-China cooperation must for Asian stability: VP
NDA feels ashamed of showing real India : Rahul
Terrorism-States, Not Non-State Actors, Responsible: Prez
MDMK to work for AIADMK win in bypolls:Vaiko
India, Sri Lanka teams reach Kanpur for second Test
Pak government releases list of NRO beneficiaries
Mullaiperiyar Dam safe, seepage below permissible limits: Tamil Nadu tells Centre
Special counters to purchase discoloured paddy