Zotatifin disrupts cancer cell growth, shows promise

Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that a drug called zotatifin can effectively kill cancer cells by blocking a specific enzyme related to protein production. This enzyme, known as eIF4a, usually helps produce proteins that can promote cancer. Zotatifin prevents eIF4a from working, which stops the production of harmful cancer proteins. The scientists conducted studies showing that zotatifin not only halted the growth of prostate tumors in mice but also caused them to shrink. This research will be published in the journal Cancer Cell. Davide Ruggero, a professor at UCSF, stated that zotatifin might be a significant breakthrough in treating prostate cancer, which often returns after initial treatment. Zotatifin was developed by a pharmaceutical company as a potential treatment for breast cancer. The UCSF team also explored its effects on prostate cancer by examining tissue samples from 500 patients. They discovered that as prostate cancer worsened, the levels of eIF4A increased. In laboratory tests, zotatifin was shown to reduce the production of specific proteins that fuel cancer, including the androgen receptor, which is crucial for prostate cancer growth. By interfering with the mRNA that translates into these proteins, zotatifin prevents the cancer cells from making them altogether. The researchers are hopeful that these promising results will lead to clinical trials of zotatifin for prostate cancer. They believe this innovative approach could improve treatment outcomes for many patients fighting this challenging disease.