INT MILAN 3D SUPERCOMPUTER SIMULATIONS TO DISCOVER 'COCKTAIL' TO DRUGS MADE
Milan, March 2 (Adnkronos / Adnkronos Health) - Against the wiles of the cancer, the Italian research group reality 'virtual. With the help of special supercomputer, and 'possible to discover in advance the' cocktail 'of drugs to be administered simultaneously to tailor therapies to remain effective even when the tumor changes, changing its architecture to escape the treatment. The effectiveness of this approach, based on simulations in 3D, and 'has been demonstrated by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (Int) in Milan in a study published in' Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology '.
The research, coordinated by the Director the Int scientific Marco Pierotti and presented today at a meeting all'Irccs Via Venezian, and 'was conducted in collaboration with the University' of Trieste and funds of the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC). The method 'was applied to GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumors), a family of rare tumors that develop on the walls of the digestive system, but the goal is' to extend in the near future to all types of cancer. Including so-called 'big killer'.
Thanks to an alliance with Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS), the maxi-pole on the outskirts of Milan entered the oncology network london (Rol) , "in a couple of years - an estimate Pierotti - we hope to get to first treatment being developed using this innovative system. "
GOAL CHOOSE 'desk' THE MIX ANTI-RESISTANCE
To resist drugs cancer evolves and changes, changing its molecular structure so as to counteract the therapy . With the new technique, experts assure the Int of Milan, not only can predict future changes of the tumor, but you can also select 'on table' blend of therapeutic ingredients that can fight cancer once it changes .
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach Pierotti and colleagues chose Gist tumors, caused by the activation of two receptors called crazy Kit and PDGFR-A. To 'extinguish' ad hoc medicines already exist (in this case the researchers used the blockbuster imatinib, known as the founder of so-called smart drugs
), but when the tumor outline Kit and PDGFR-A change shape and the drug can no longer to hook them perfectly. In other words, the cancer becomes resistant to treatment. While
to bypass the problem with traditional techniques long used in vitro experiments - trying different molecules one by one until he finds one that matches the receptors changed - with the supercomputer time they fall away. Using a network of 'brains' willing to Trieste, the researchers were able to reconstruct virtual models Milan 3D
receptor target both the normal and mutated. Thus, in simulations carpet have tried to 'catch' with different medications, until it snaps perfect lock and key.
Nerviano Medical Sciences ALLY FOR NEW THERAPIES
"The model predictions about which molecules would be effective against tumors changed - says Pierotti - have been fully confirmed by observations in the laboratory and also from therapy in the patient using a specified
drug identified by the 3D models we were able to record improvements, also documented by images obtained with the CT / PET.
E "because in theory it is possible to foresee all possible mutations receptor of cancer, then draw three-dimensional models in virtual reality - adds the scientific director of the Int Milan - our future goal is to put every possible mutation in comparison with potentially active molecules,
to find all those that fit perfectly " . The screening will take advantage of the alliance with Nerviano Medical Sciences and its 'library', a mega-archvio with "about 65 000 drug candidates," says Pierotti .
"Then - concluded the scientist - once identified molecules better suited to deal with any mutation of the tumor, you can create cocktails of drugs effective in the long term. Giving all the molecules effective at the same time, we will be able to fight all mutations, even those who do not yet have occurred. "
