Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) have discovered a new method to block the activity of the fusion protein behind Ewing’’s sarcoma-a rare cancer found in children and young adults. In a new study, the researchers have discovered and successfully tested a small molecule that prevents the fusion protein from sticking to another protein that is critical for tumour formation. The researchers claim that this unique interaction is especially surprising as the Ewing’’s sarcoma fusion protein is extremely flexible, which allows it to change shape constantly. “Most targeted small molecule cancer drugs inhibit the intrinsic activity of a single protein, but our agent stops two proteins from interacting. This has never been shown before with a cancer-causing fusion protein and represents a potentially novel... [read full story]
