A breakthrough treatment uses nutrient-based nanomedicine to reactivate dormant metabolic pathways in cancer cells, effectively halting melanoma growth. This new method could transform cancer treatment by combining tyrosine nanomicelles with laser therapy to rapidly eradicate cancer and prevent its recurrence.
Reactivating dormant metabolic pathways in cancer cells can help fight cancer.
An international team of researchers has developed a new method for treating cancer by utilizing nutrients to reactivate dormant metabolic pathways in cancer cells. The team used a widely available amino acidtyrosine, delivered in the form of nanomoles, to change the metabolism of melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer, thereby inhibiting cancer growth.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. This new approach can be combined with current therapies to better treat melanoma. The technique also has the potential to treat other types of cancer. The study was led by Professor Wenbo Bu from Fudan University and Professor Dayong Jin from the University of Technology Sydney, and was recently published in the prestigious journal.Nanotechnology of nature.
Development of Tyrosine Nanomicelles
Tyrosine has limited bioavailability in living organisms. However, the researchers used a new nanotechnology technique to package it into tiny particles called nanomicelles, which are attracted to cancer cell membranes and easily disintegrate, increasing absorption. The research team then tested the innovative treatment in mice and human-derived melanoma cells in the laboratory and found that the tyrosine nanomicelles reactivated dormant metabolic pathways, stimulated melanin synthesis and inhibited tumor growth.
“Rapid uncontrolled growth is a key feature that distinguishes cancer cells from normal cells. In cancer cells, some metabolic pathways are over-activated, and others are suppressed, to create the necessary environment for rapid proliferation,” Professor Jin said.
“While some metabolism-based cancer drugs have been developed before, such as aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis in breast cancer and HK2 inhibitors that target glycolysis in various cancers, these work by suppressing over-activating metabolic pathways,” he said.
“Our research shows for the first time that cancer can be stopped by reactivating dormant metabolic pathways. And this can be done using simple nutrients such as amino acidssugars and vitamins, which are safe, available and well tolerated,” said Professor Bu.
Mechanism and Handling Improvements
Different types of cancer will respond to different nutrients. Melanoma cells develop from melanocytes – skin cells that produce melanin. Tyrosine is needed to produce melanin and can stimulate melanin production, hence its effectiveness with melanoma. The reactivation of melanin synthesis forces the melanoma cell to reduce glycolysis, the process of converting sugar into energy, which is believed to be the mechanism for its anticancer effect.
Melanoma cells are also sensitive to heat stress. The researchers found that by combining tyrosine nanomicelle treatment with near-infrared laser treatment, they were able to eradicate melanoma in mice after six days, and it did not recur during the study period. The findings suggest a promising new frontier in the use of nanomedicine for cancer therapy.
Reference: “Nutrient delivery and metabolism reactivation therapy for melanoma” by Yang Chen, Chaochao Wang, Yelin Wu, Ya Wang, Yun Meng, Fan Wu, Huilin Zhang, Yuen Yee Cheng, Xingwu Jiang, Jieyun Shi, Huiyan Li, Peiran Zhao, Jinfeng Wu, Bin Zheng, Dayong Jin, and Wenbo Bu, June 11, 2024, Nanotechnology of nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01690-6