The Urgent Need for Improved Cancer Therapies

Global cancer rates are projected to climb dramatically, with estimates suggesting 30 million new cases and 16 million deaths annually by 2040. The situation is particularly pressing in countries like Chile, where, according to 2020 data, approximately 28,000 people succumb to the disease each year. This translates to one cancer-related death every 20 minutes. This stark reality underscores the critical need for advancements in cancer treatment. [[2]]

Targeted Therapy: A Precision Medicine Approach

In response to this challenge, researchers are increasingly focusing on targeted therapy, a cornerstone of precision medicine. This approach aims to selectively attack cancer cells by targeting specific proteins that control their growth,division,and spread. [[1]] Unlike conventional chemotherapy,which can harm both cancerous and healthy cells,targeted therapies strive to minimize side effects by focusing on the unique characteristics of cancer cells.[[3]]

Chilean Researcher Pioneers Novel Molecular Hybridization Strategy

Driven by the pressing need for more effective and less harmful cancer treatments, javier Maldonado, a researcher at the Institute of Chemistry of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV), is spearheading an innovative project.His research centers on developing molecules that enhance the anti-cancer effects of existing compounds used to treat prevalent cancers such as gastric, colon, and breast cancer, which have a high incidence rate in chile.

Maldonado’s work, supported by a Postdoctoral Fondecyt grant, focuses on modifying structural units of established oncology drugs like doxurubicin and daunaorubicin. While these drugs have demonstrated anti-tumor activity, they lack selectivity, affecting healthy cells alongside cancerous ones. The core objective of Maldonado’s research is to amplify the anti-tumor potency of these molecules while simultaneously improving their ability to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells, thereby mitigating the debilitating side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy.

What I am looking for is to integrate chemical structures that are more selective to neutralize cancer cells in order to enhance the impact against cancer, in addition to reducing certain side effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss and weakness of those affected.
Javier Maldonado,Institute of chemistry of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV)

Unlocking Antitumor Potential Through Molecular Hybrids

Maldonado’s research hinges on the creation of molecular hybrids – novel molecules that combine two or more independent structures into a single,enhanced unit for cancer treatment. This strategy, known as molecular hybridization, aims to create a synergistic effect, boosting the anti-cancer activity beyond what individual components could achieve alone.

Molecular hybridization is a chemical strategy that consists in joining certain fragments in the same structure. Individually, these structures that we call pharmacophores have independent anti -cancer activity. So what is the innovation of the project: it is to generate synergy in the anti -cancer or antitumor Chemotherapy.
Javier maldonado, Institute of Chemistry of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV)

The ultimate goal is to develop molecules capable of selectively targeting and destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This targeted approach promises to deliver drugs that are as effective, or even more effective, than current treatments, but with substantially reduced side effects.

the idea is to generate molecules that are capable of detecting and attacking cancer cells but discriminating against healthy. In this way, the expected result is to obtain more selective drugs, equal or better of troops than those used today, but with less side effects, by targeting treatment and not acting indiscriminately in all cells.
Javier Maldonado, Institute of Chemistry of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV)

Computational Analysis and Novel Compounds

The project also incorporates computational analysis to predict the ability of these hybrid compounds to interact with specific proteins involved in cancer advancement. Furthermore, the research explores the incorporation of Alpha Chalcones, antimitotic compounds that inhibit cell division, into the molecular structures. These compounds target tubulins, proteins essential for cell division, aiming to halt the proliferation of malignant cells and control neoplastic growth.