New Drug Inhibits Tumor Growth in Small Cell Lung Cancer

A new drug that inhibits the growth of tumors could lead to a promising approach for the treatment of lung cancer, according to the results of a recent study.

The drug—AZD3965—works by hindering the MCT1 molecule, which are responsible for preventing cells from becoming toxic while undergoing glycolysis.
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To further explore the effect of the drug and its potential benefits to patients undergoing cancer treatment, researchers at Manchester Pharmacy School at the University of Manchester examined small cell lung cancer cells exposed to AZD3965.

They found that the drug successfully blocked the MCT1 molecule from transporting lactate out of cancer cells, resulting in increased glycolysis.

“These drug-induced metabolic changes translate into an inhibition of tumor growth in vivo,” they wrote.

When used in conjunction with fractionated radiation, the combination “provided a significantly greater therapeutic effect than the use of either modality alone.”

“These results strongly support the notion of combining MCT1 inhibition with radiotherapy in the treatment of [small cell lung cancer] and other solid tumors,” they concluded.

The study is published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Reference:

Bola BM, Chadwick AL, Michopoulos F, Blount KG, et al. Inhibition of monocarboxylate transporter-1 (mct1) by azd3965 enhances radiosensitivity by reducing lactate transport.  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. October 3, 2014 [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-13-1091