New family of compounds could treat numerous cancers

Researchers from CNRS and Inserm have discovered a new family of compounds that could make it possible to treat numerous cancers, particularly brain tumors and skin cancers.

The French-Italian team found that the substances block a chain of molecular reactions known as the Hedgehog signalling pathway. This disruption could be involved in several cancers.

The Hedgehog signalling pathway is a cascade of complex biochemical reactions, and the compounds could become new medicines in the long term. The pathway has been found to be very active during embryogenesis, a role which will be further studied in the short term development of our understanding of the compound.

A membrane receptor known as Smoothened can cause malfunctions that affect the Hedgehog pathway. Smoothened is an essential link permitting the activation of the Hedgehog pathway, and several pharmaceutical laboratories have started to develop compounds capable of blocking these pathways.

Some have managed to stop certain tumors thanks to the receptor antagonistic compounds, however the experiments conducted on animal models and in humans demonstrate the onset of resistance to these treatments.

Posted by Fiona Griffiths