| THE
EFFECTS OF ZOLEDRIONIC ACID ON INTRACELLULAR SIGNALLING PATHWAYS
IN PROSTATE CANCER CELLS.
Dr Thomas Swallow St.George’s Hospital, London |
The researchers have previously shown that the group of drugs called the biphosphonates bring about cell death in prostate cancer cells in the laboratory, as well as interfering with their ability to “stick” and, subsequently, invade.
The important molecular mechanism for these effects appears to be the
inhibition of a process called “prenylation”. This is required
for normal processing of key cellular proteins that play vital roles
in many cell functions. By inhibiting these proteins, enzymes are activated
which cause apoptosis (cell death). However the exact pathway with which
zoledrionic acid (a later biphosphonate and the one used medically) inhibits
this protein production is still not clear. This research will attempt
to elucidate this.
Research proposal summary dated 15 May 2006
Project 2005/07