Research by the Ircss Saverio De Bellis of Castellana Grotte opens new perspectives in the treatment of liver cancer, thanks to the discovery of a strategy capable of limiting the growth of the tumor by “starving” it of oxygen and nutrients.
The researchers observed that Proteoglycan-4 (PRG4), a glycoprotein physiologically produced in joints and the ocular surface but not by the liver, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of regorafenib, a drug already in use in the therapy of patients with liver cancer. The study was published in the international journal Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research.
“It blocks the vessels and deprives the tumor of supplies”
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“The synergy between PRG4 and regorafenib prevents the formation of new blood vessels, limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients and thus reducing the tumor’s ability to grow and metastasize,” explains the scientific director of De Bellis, Gianluigi Giannelli. The study, financed by the Ministry of Health, is the result of over four years of scientific activity conducted on preclinical models obtained with molecular engineering techniques. The first signatory is the researcher Francesco Dituri.
Towards smaller, patentable fragments
The results are so promising that they pushed the team to develop smaller PRG4 fragments, protected by an international patent and suitable for future clinical applications, confirms Giannelli. A particularly relevant aspect is immunological compatibility: being a physiological molecule, PRG4 is not immunogenic, similarly to insulin. This makes it potentially safer than synthetic molecules.
What prospects does the discovery open up?
According to the researchers, the PRG4–regorafenib association could in the future help reduce the dosage of the drug, maintaining or increasing efficacy, attenuate side effects, which often cause interruption of therapy, and improve long-term tolerability. This is, therefore, a possible paradigm shift in the management of patients suffering from liver cancer.
De Bellis, excellence in patent research
The president of the Civ, Enzo Delvecchio, underlines that the project confirms “the validity of the path undertaken by our Institute”, leader for Southern Italy in the national PerfeTTO project of the Ministry of Health dedicated to the valorisation of patent research.
The extraordinary commissioner Luigi Fruscio reiterates the central role of De Bellis: “Research guides the improvement of treatments. It is not surprising that our researchers conduct national multicenter research on PRG4. Our Institute continues to be a point of excellence”.
