Obstructing cancer cells
2005/12/01 Andonegi Beristain, Garazi - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
In blood vessels, the circulation of cancer cells is often caused by metastasis. These cancer cells contaminate healthy cells and the disease spreads throughout the body. This is the greatest danger of cancer, metastasis. To avoid this, a research team from the Faculty of Chemistry of San Sebastian analyzes the relationships between these cells.
They study the proteins involved in these intercellular relationships. These proteins allow the connection between cancer cells and healthy cells. There are different types of proteins, in which researchers select those that have a single active focus. If this area is blocked, the cancer cell will not be able to join a healthy cell through this protein. This way at least this extension path is hindered.
The first task is therefore to study the structure of these selected proteins. For this they use computers, since proteins are giant molecules. Once this structure is known and the characteristics of the active place are known, a new molecule is designed to block the active place.
Hidden in smallness
The new molecule must have very special characteristics. On the one hand, the important thing is the size, so that our immune system does not detect it has to be very small. In fact, if the synthesized molecule were relatively large, the immune system would react against it until its elimination.
On the other hand, this new molecule must imitate the characteristics of the molecule itself that binds to this active nucleus.
New molecules are designed with these characteristics, that is, a molecular family is designed. And then, of course, they are synthesized. Keep in mind that before no one has produced these molecules nor are they in nature, so no one knows if they will be stable.
The last step is to analyze whether synthesized molecules actually perform their function.
Block and die
First, in vitro sessions are held. It is analyzed if the molecules bind to the active nucleus of the protein and are able to eliminate it. If the cancer cell is not able to spread another cell, it commits suicide. In addition, when designing a set of similar molecules, it is necessary to check which of them gets the best results, that is, which is the most active.
The most active molecule in vitro sessions should show that it is the most active in live sessions and on many occasions the results vary. Some other family molecule may get better results, so it is very important to do these sessions.
Once the studies are completed, the decision can be made to improve the molecule or, when the results are very satisfactory, the steps will begin to turn it into a drug. However, this is not the work of chemists, who focus on forming molecules against another cancer protein.
