A study carried out by scientists at University College London has shown that a molecule termed NAALADL2 can be used to guide treatments to prostate cancer. NAALADL2 has been identified as a predictor of prostate dancer recurrence. Doctors examine it to determine whether a patient's cancer will return or not. For this study, the researchers found that NAALADL2 could also improve treatment of aggressive prostate cancer. Eerlier studies revealed that prostate cancer cells possess higher levels of NAALADL2 on the surface than normal cells. Prostate cancer patients who have more NAALADL2 on their tumors are much more likely to to relapse. In current study, the researchers tagged an antibody that attaches to NAALADL2 with a cancer-killing drug, saporin. Results showed that the saporin-antibody combination successfully killed prostate cancer cells. Using antibodies mounted with a toxic payload, researchers could exploit the fact that aggressive prostate cancer cells have more NAALADL2, said Hayley Luxton, who led the study. CusAb offers FITC conjugated antibody NAALADL2 is found on tumor cells and indicates a cancer that is likely to grow and spread. This study showed that it may guide the treatment of prostate cancer. Aggressive prostate cancer is hard to treat, requiring more effect therapies. Targeted delivery of saporin toxin by antibody represents a way to treat prostate cancer.The research team will further investigate the saporin-antibody combination in future research.
