New ligands may prevent tumour growth and metastasis

Scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University have developed ligands that can deactivate the function of a protein called interleukin 6 in the tumour environment by blocking the corresponding receptor. IL-6 contributes to the proliferation of cancer cells and leads to metastasis. Under laboratory conditions, these new ligands were able to slow the growth and movement of melanoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma cancer cells. If a commercial partner can be found, the use of these ligands has a chance to be clinically tested and become part of a treatment strategy. Part of the development has been carried out within the framework of the National Institute for Cancer Research project.