JULY 2024
RESULTS ARE IN!
Commissioned Research Successful
Latest research study leverages a new class of cancer target for mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment
Identifies MDIG as a potential drug target for the development of future asbestos-related cancer treatment
A six-month research project, supported by national charities, Mesothelioma UK and Erase Meso, has discovered a significant advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.
Funded by Erase Meso, the project aimed to leverage a new class of cancer target to benefit patients suffering from this aggressive cancer.​
Funding a Meso
UK Research
Project
​The project was a collaboration between Professor Mathew Coleman at the University of Birmingham and Professors Marion MacFarlane and Anne Willis OBE at the MRC (Medical Research Council) Toxicology Unit at the University of Cambridge, Professor John Le Quesne (CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow) and Professor Christopher Schofield (University of Oxford).
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Erase Meso donated a financial grant of £37,973 and found a new class of cancer target for the benefit of mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer) diagnosis and treatment. The project analysed the enzyme MDIG (Mineral Dust Induced Gene) that is known to be altered in the lungs of those in contact with mineral dust like silica. MDIG is over-represented in mesothelioma cells.
The research team focused on an enzyme known as 'MDIG', a type of oxygenase that acts as a cellular switch using oxygen. While MDIG is known to be persistently active in several tumour types, its role in mesothelioma had not been previously explored. Given MDIG's influence on protein synthesis, which is a critical process for mesothelioma survival, and its increased levels due to exposure to silica and mineral dusts, researchers hypothesised that MDIG might significantly contribute to mesothelioma development.
The team discovered high levels of MDIG and its cellular targets in laboratory-grown mesothelioma cells. Furthermore, they found that the enzyme's activity and function are essential for the rapid growth of these cells. These findings suggest that MDIG could be a promising new drug target for mesothelioma treatment. The research team is now well-positioned to target MDIG through their collaborations with chemists at the University of Oxford and Rome.
Mathew Coleman, Professor in Tumour Cell Biology at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences at the University of Birmingham commented: "This research suggests that MDIG is a potential drug target for the development of future mesothelioma treatment strategies.
“In the short term, it rationalises further studies into the role of MDIG in mesothelioma cells and the development of next-generation MDIG inhibitors. In the longer term, it supports preclinical studies that could ultimately be translated into the clinic for improved patient survival and quality of life. Huge thanks to Erase Meso and Mesothelioma UK for supporting the project!"
Paul Cook, founder of Erase Meso said: “I am immensely proud of the strides we are making in the fight against mesothelioma. This groundbreaking research on MDIG represents a beacon of hope for patients and their families who have been affected by this devastating disease. At Erase Meso, we are dedicated to supporting innovative research that has the potential to transform diagnosis and treatment options for mesothelioma. Our collaboration with Mesothelioma UK and esteemed researchers like Professor Mathew Coleman underscores our commitment to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for all those affected. We are hopeful that this discovery will pave the way for new, effective treatments and ultimately, a future free from mesothelioma."
Liz Darlison, Chief Executive of Mesothelioma UK added: “By identifying this new drug target, we have the potential to extend the possible treatment options for mesothelioma patients. Our thanks go to Mathew and his research team for their dedicated work, and to Erase Meso for their continued commitment to supporting research into mesothelioma treatment and care.”
End of Study Report
"Leveraging a new class of cancer target for the benefit of mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment"
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Study Summary
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We investigated a type of enzyme that uses oxygen to act as a kind of switch in cells (a so called ‘oxygenase’). Although this enzyme switch is known to be stuck on in several different tumour types, it had not previously been studied in the context of mesothelioma.
Because this enzyme is known to play a role in biology that was recently shown to be important to mesothelioma survival (protein synthesis), and its levels are induced by silica and mineral dusts, we hypothesised that it may play a role in mesothelioma development. We discovered that there is lots of this enzyme and its cellular targets in mesothelioma cells grown in the laboratory, and that the activity and function of the enzyme is required for mesothelioma growth and viability. Our data suggest that this enzyme is a new candidate drug target for mesothelioma treatment, which we can develop through our work with the University of Oxford and Rome on the first drugs that target this enzyme.
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Impact
This research has confirmed that MDIG is a potential drug target for the development of future mesothelioma treatment strategies. In the short term it rationalises further studies into the role of MDIG in mesothelioma cells and the development of next generation MDIG inhibitors.
In the longer term it supports preclinical studies that model MDIG inhibition and combination therapies that could ultimately be translated into the clinical for improved patient survival and quality of life.
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This grant has validated the original hypothesis and built a dataset that can be used to apply for more substantial funding in the future.
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We'd like to thank everyone involved in this successful project..and especially our supporters for funding it
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