The Importance of Surface Proteins in Precision Oncology
Precision oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment by providing targeted therapies that tackle the specific genetic or molecular alterations in cancer cells. At the heart of this approach lies the identification of surface proteins located on the cell membrane of tumor cells. Roman Thomas, CEO of DISCO Pharmaceuticals, explains how his company is leveraging cutting-edge technology to decode the complex network of cell surface proteins, also known as the surfaceome, to discover new targets for cancer therapeutics.
The Need for Novel Targets in Oncology
While there has been significant progress in the development of targeted cancer therapies, the current arsenal of cancer drugs still relies on a limited number of surface proteins, less than 30, to be precise. However, finding new targets on the surface of cancer cells has proven to be a challenging task that requires innovative technological solutions. Current technologies, such as ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and proteomics, have limitations in identifying cancer-specific surface targets that could lead to the development of novel medicines. To create targeted treatments with fewer side-effects, there is an urgent need to discover new surface targets on cancer cells.
The Surfaceome as a New Avenue for Cancer Research
The surfaceome is a map of the proteins located on the surface of the cell membrane of all cell types, including tumor cells. In recent years, surfaceome research has gained more attention as a promising approach for drug discovery. DISCO Pharmaceuticals has developed a unique technology platform that combines light and ligand-guided tagging, high-throughput protein capture and processing, and mass spectrometry to uncover protein communities that could be potential targets for cancer therapy. By employing this novel approach to decode the surfaceome, DISCO hopes to identify new cancer-specific targets that can be targeted by drugs to treat hard-to-treat cancers effectively.
DISCO’s Approach to Surfaceome Mapping
DISCO has focused on mapping the surfaceome of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), a cancer type with a high unmet medical need and a typical five-year survival rate of around six percent. Using its unique technology platform, DISCO has identified 1, 189 surface proteins, including 326 proteins proximal to multiple relevant anchor proteins, and narrowed down to a shortlist of 10 protein target candidates. The company then selected two targets from the shortlist to develop highly specific binders for cancer treatment. With this novel approach, DISCO aims to cut down the time needed to complete each surfaceome map and ultimately create a cancer surfaceome database.
Prospects for Surfaceome-based Therapeutics
Surfaceome research has the potential to unlock valuable insights into the complex network of proteins on cancer cells that could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. By developing drugs that specifically target cancer-specific surface proteins, researchers can design therapies that minimize off-target interactions with healthy tissues resulting in fewer side-effects. The use of surfaceome-based therapies could improve cancer treatment outcomes and ultimately save or prolong patients’ lives.
Conclusion
The exploration of the surfaceome represents a new frontier in cancer research. DISCO Pharmaceuticals’ cutting-edge technology platform is enabling researchers to uncover new targets for cancer therapy by decoding the complex network of surface proteins on tumor cells accurately. With the ongoing progress in surfaceome research and technology development, the future of cancer treatment appears more promising than ever before.
Originally Post From https://www.drugtargetreview.com/article/151511/could-illuminating-the-surfaceome-help-find-new-targeted-cancer-therapies/
