A new anti-cancer drug that puts the tumour under control
It is on this principle that cabozantinib works, a new molecule that acts on two levels in the mechanism of cancerization: on the VEGF receptor, involved in the growth of new vessels responsible for irrigating metastases, but also on the receptor c-MET, which involves it in cell proliferation.
This action on both types of receptors seems essential to control cancer development. Animal trials have shown that if only VEGF receptors are inhibited, the cancer can "defend" aggressively by invading other tissues and making secondary tumours. But the simultaneous blocking of c-MET receivers, as cabozantinib does, helps to thwart this defense strategy...
Confined tumours
A team from the University of San Francisco tested the molecule on mouse cancer cells. After 14 weeks of cancer development in animals, they received daily doses of cabozantinib. The results were published in the journal NewScientist: all treated mice survived until 20 weeks after the end of the study, while all others died.
These good results are due to the molecule control of tumours inoculated in mice. In untreated rodents, the cancer has spread, causing metastases to kill them. In contrast, in mice under cabozantinib, the researchers observed an absence of metastases and containment of the tumor, in the form of a smooth and compact cell mass. According to the research team, no results of this type, associated with such longevity of animals, had been observed in this type of advanced cancer in mice.
Other studies, which combine molecules known to cut the irrigation of cancer cells are currently being tested in combination with c-MET receptor blockers, in the treatment of advanced breast, colon and liver cancers. Still, the molecule cabozantinib "2 in 1" then gave impressive results in humans.
"Cleaning" of tumours and reducing pain
The new drug was given to 108 men with recently metastastatic prostate cancer in the bones for 3 months. Cancerous tumors of patients' bones were reduced or completely disappeared and three-quarters of men had their primary tumors reduced. Finally, two-thirds of the patients treated reported that their pain had calmed down, some even stopped taking morphine...
A versatile molecule
According to one of the researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven-la-Neuve, who has participated in a few trials, the results obtained with cabozantinib are unexpected and very promising, also because of the very wide apparent range of action of the drug. Usually, the new drugs tested do not work against different types of tumors. Cabozantinib produced conclusive results in 12 of the 13 cancers tested.
Caution and further testing
In response to this data, two larger trials have been launched with the molecule: the first, which involves 246 patients, aims to reduce cancer pain. The other, conducted with 960 patients will attempt to prolong the survival of the patients.
Despite the results, the company developing the drug is keen to minimize its potential and warn that the molecule only slows down the cancer by isolating it and has not shown any potential for cure of the disease.
Moreover, we know that cancer is full of resources: the possibility for it to evolve in such a way as to overcome the double-attack of the cabo still exists... In the meantime, the molecule is getting a lot of talk about it.
This action on both types of receptors seems essential to control cancer development. Animal trials have shown that if only VEGF receptors are inhibited, the cancer can "defend" aggressively by invading other tissues and making secondary tumours. But the simultaneous blocking of c-MET receivers, as cabozantinib does, helps to thwart this defense strategy...
Confined tumours
A team from the University of San Francisco tested the molecule on mouse cancer cells. After 14 weeks of cancer development in animals, they received daily doses of cabozantinib. The results were published in the journal NewScientist: all treated mice survived until 20 weeks after the end of the study, while all others died.
These good results are due to the molecule control of tumours inoculated in mice. In untreated rodents, the cancer has spread, causing metastases to kill them. In contrast, in mice under cabozantinib, the researchers observed an absence of metastases and containment of the tumor, in the form of a smooth and compact cell mass. According to the research team, no results of this type, associated with such longevity of animals, had been observed in this type of advanced cancer in mice.
Other studies, which combine molecules known to cut the irrigation of cancer cells are currently being tested in combination with c-MET receptor blockers, in the treatment of advanced breast, colon and liver cancers. Still, the molecule cabozantinib "2 in 1" then gave impressive results in humans.
"Cleaning" of tumours and reducing pain
The new drug was given to 108 men with recently metastastatic prostate cancer in the bones for 3 months. Cancerous tumors of patients' bones were reduced or completely disappeared and three-quarters of men had their primary tumors reduced. Finally, two-thirds of the patients treated reported that their pain had calmed down, some even stopped taking morphine...
A versatile molecule
According to one of the researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven-la-Neuve, who has participated in a few trials, the results obtained with cabozantinib are unexpected and very promising, also because of the very wide apparent range of action of the drug. Usually, the new drugs tested do not work against different types of tumors. Cabozantinib produced conclusive results in 12 of the 13 cancers tested.
Caution and further testing
In response to this data, two larger trials have been launched with the molecule: the first, which involves 246 patients, aims to reduce cancer pain. The other, conducted with 960 patients will attempt to prolong the survival of the patients.
Despite the results, the company developing the drug is keen to minimize its potential and warn that the molecule only slows down the cancer by isolating it and has not shown any potential for cure of the disease.
Moreover, we know that cancer is full of resources: the possibility for it to evolve in such a way as to overcome the double-attack of the cabo still exists... In the meantime, the molecule is getting a lot of talk about it.