Brunel University, UK, is leading a ?4.8 million project, funded by the European Commission, that aims to turn off the
switch which makes cancer cells immortal. Led by Professor Rob Newbold, Director of the Brunel Institute of Cancer Genetics
and Pharmacogenomics, the project includes genetic scientists, pathologists, diagnostic specialists and pharmacologists from
across Europe.
The project, 'Developing Molecular Medicines for Cancer in the Post-genome Era', will investigate and develop treatments to
block the re-activated production of telomerase in cancerous cells. Telomerase is a natural enzyme that controls cell
growth. In normal human cells the production of telomerase is shut down around 20 weeks after conception, and from then on a
strict limit is placed on the number of times human cells can divide. But around 85% of cancers re-activate the telomerase
molecule, allowing their cells to divide indefinitely without succumbing to normal ageing and death.
By developing treatments to block this re-activated production of telomerase in cancerous cells, Professor Newbold hopes to
reinstate natural defence mechanisms against the disease.
Professor Newbold says: "Halting the production of telomerase is evolution's way of preventing cancerous growth. I am very
confident that we are working along the right lines by targeting this molecule. We have recruited into the consortium the
best telomerase research scientists in Europe complemented by clinical and pharmacological expertise. The aim of the project
is to develop a series of candidate drugs, which will then enter clinical trials after our four-year project period.
Although it may be a number of years before treatments will be available to patients, we are very confident that we have
found cancer's 'Achilles Heel', and that by the end of the project we will be in a position to exploit it."
The EU support for the new project (?4 million with the remainder coming from non-academic partners) is part of the European
Commission's Framework 6 funding for transnational cancer research. The telomerase project is one of the only six funded
across the EU so far in this series and is the sole project actively to involve a drug development team.
14 institutes from across Europe are represented in the project, which will see over 30 people involved in the four years of
funding. Brunel will serve as the administrative hub of the project, with initial meetings being held at the University, as
well as undertaking extensive laboratory research focused on breast and prostate cancers. Three new members of staff will be
recruited to Professor Newbold's team in the Institute of Cancer Genetics.
Brunel University, UK
For further details, please contact:
Sonia Panchal /Blaise Hammond
Fuse PR
Tel : 0208 956 2303 /2709
soniafusepr
blaisefusepr