Researchers at Umeå University and partner labs have built an experimental drug that can slow down tumor growth and stop aggressive prostate cancer from spreading. Their results were shared in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
Why This Matters
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Many tumors grow slowly and never cause serious problems. Some, however, become aggressive and travel to the lymph nodes or bones.
How the New Drug Works
The team created a fully human antibody— a protein made only from human parts. Because it is fully human, it can be used safely as a medicine.
In lab tests, the antibody stopped both the growth of tumors and their spread to other parts of the body. It works by a brand‑new mechanism, which may also mean fewer side effects.
A Step Toward Real‑World Use
These early results are an important step toward turning the antibody into a drug that patients can actually take.
The long‑term goal is to give men with advanced prostate cancer a better chance of living longer and feeling better.
Team Effort
Scientists at the SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development Platform helped design the antibody. The Umeå Biotech Incubator and MetaCurUm Biotech AB provided key support and funding.
Looking Ahead
The researchers now want to test whether the same antibody can fight other solid tumors, such as breast or lung cancer.
"We hope our work will lead to a new cancer medicine that helps patients," said Professor Maréne Landström, who led the study.