Cancer cells possess unique metabolic properties that allow rapid proliferation even in low oxygen and nutrient conditions. Researchers have discovered that targeting these altered metabolic pathways in cancer cells can potentially halt tumor growth. Several biotech companies are developing new drugs that interfere with cancer metabolism based therapeutics to achieve cell death or regression.
One major difference in cancer cell metabolism is increased glycolysis even under normal oxygen levels, termed as Warburg effect. Researchers at MetaboloThera are developing inhibitors against key glycolytic enzymes that are overexpressed in cancers like lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate kinase M2. Their lead compound MT-7 has shown promise in preclinical models by blocking glycolysis and inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. The company aims to start phase 1 clinical trials by early 2023 once IND enabling studies are complete.
Another metabolic alteration seen in cancers is increased glutaminolysis due to high glutamine consumption. Abraxis BioScience has created ABX-GLN1, a small molecule inhibitor of glutaminase C which breaks down glutamine to feed the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. In animal studies, ABX-GLN1 was found to reduce tumor growth and viability by depleting glutamine levels inside cancer cells. Abraxis plans to file an IND for phase 1 studies before the end of 2022.
Targeting Lipid Metabolism In Cancer Metabolism Based Therapeutics
Rapidly proliferating cancer cells need lipids and cholesterol for producing new Cancer Metabolism Based Therapeutics. Several pharmaceutical firms are testing inhibitors of key enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis.
Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the first committed step in fatty acid synthesis which is overexpressed in certain cancers. MirZen Therapeutics developed a potent ACC inhibitor MZ3 that showed robust anti-tumor efficacy against xenograft models of breast and lung cancer. It is undergoing toxicology studies before initiating an early phase clinical trials program.
Cholesterol is an important component of cell membranes and its homeostasis is dysregulated in cancer. Nexus Pharma has created an inhibitor named NP-5 targeting squalene synthase which is essential for cholesterol biosynthesis from farnesyl pyrophosphate. In preclinical models, NP-5 significantly reduced tumor growth and increased apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma cells by depleting cellular cholesterol levels. The compound entered phase 1 trials earlier this year.
Targeting Amino Acid Cancer Metabolism Based Therapeutics
Rapidly dividing cancer cells also exhibit abnormalities in amino acid metabolism and transport. Emerging biotechs are targeting these vulnerabilities for developing new cancer drugs.
Serine is a non-essential amino acid but many tumors become “serine addicted” making its exogenous supply critical for growth and survival. Serimmune Therapeutics has created SE-1, a small molecule that selectively blocks serine transporters thus inhibiting serine uptake in cancer cells. In animal models, SE-1 showed impressive tumor growth inhibition for cancers dependent on extracellular serine.
Methionine is an essential amino acid that cancer cells acquire through increased import. Anew Pharmaceuticals developed AN-103, an inhibitor of methionine transporter SLC43A1/2 which is overexpressed in many solid tumor types. In preclinical studies, AN-103 treatment significantly delayed tumor progression in lymphoma, breast and lung cancer models by restricting methionine supply. The compound has completed phase 1 safety trials and phase 2 studies are ongoing.
Investor Confidence in Cancer Metabolism Based Therapeutics Approaches
Several biotechs working on novel metabolism-based cancer therapeutics have raised substantial venture capital funding over past few years, reflecting growing investor confidence in these approaches. These investments indicate that targeting dysregulated cancer metabolism represents a promising avenue for developing much-needed new generation of anti-cancer drugs. With success of ongoing clinical trials, some of these metabolic therapies may reach commercialization in the latter half of this decade. This emerging field promises to transform the way cancers are treated in the clinics.
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According to the latest report published by Fact.MR, the global market for peptide based cancer therapeutics is set to reflect an above average CAGR during 2017 to 2022, to reach a valuation in excess of US$ 11,100 Mn.
Incessant development in drug modification, stability, delivery and preclinical achievements is reflecting positively on the future prospects of the global peptide based cancer therapeutics market.
Of late, an array of new peptides with encouraging preclinical results are undergoing clinical trials for treating cancer.Read Report Summary: https://www.factmr.com/report/179/peptide-based-cancer-therapeutics-marketAt the same time, these new peptide are also finding application in various other therapeutic areas.
Factors mentioned above are projected to make a significant influence on the global market for peptide based cancer therapeutics over the forecast period.
This is largely due to the existence of several prominent peptide based cancer therapeutic drug makers and an advanced healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Meanwhile, the market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over 2022.Request for Report Methodology: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM_id=179Based on drugs, demand for bortezomib is expected to remain relative higher as compared to other peptide based cancer therapeutic drugs.
